Crossword Genius

Boyfriend, old-fashioned being out of this? (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

date

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'boyfriend' is the definition.
(someone's date might be a boyfriend)

'old-fashioned being out of this?' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'being' could be 'da' (D.A. is an example) and 'da' is located in the answer.
The remaining letters 'te' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for date that I've seen before include "A social appointment - check calendar" , "Stoned fruit" , "Romantic appointment" , "Romantic assignation" , "Step out with" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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