Crossword Genius

Caught by then? (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

next

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

'then?' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'caught by' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'by' could be 'x' (multiplication sign) and 'x' is located in the answer.
The remaining letters 'net' 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 next that I've seen before include "Coming nearest in order - come, please!" , "Following in sequence" , "Succeeding" , "Coming nearest in time or sequence" , "Proximate" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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