Crossword Genius

Caught right in the trap, don’t look at all despondent (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

grin

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

'don't look at all despondent' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.

'caught right in the trap' is the wordplay.
'caught right' becomes 'r' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'in the' indicates putting letters inside.
'trap' becomes 'gin' (gin trap is a kind of animal trap).
'r' going within 'gin' is 'GRIN'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for grin that I've seen before include "Cheesy smile?" , "Look pleased" , "Toothy smile" , "Smile - all that could be seen of the vanishing Cheshire Cat" , "Smile while pulling back the lips" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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