Crossword Genius

Brief trip leading to deficit (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

shortfall

'deficit' is the definition.
('shortfall' can be a synonym of 'deficit')

'brief trip leading' is the wordplay.
'brief' becomes 'short' ('short' can be a synonym of 'brief').
'trip' becomes 'fall' (fall is a kind of trip).
'leading' says to put letters next to each other.
'short'+'fall'='SHORTFALL'

'to' is the link.

(Other definitions for shortfall that I've seen before include "what we're lacking" , "Not enough money" , "lack" , "Not quite what's expected" , "Deficiency" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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