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Cheer-leader embraced and puffed along (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

chugged

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'puffed along' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are past participle verbs, I cannot see how they can define each other.

'cheer-leader embraced' is the wordplay.
'leader' suggests taking the first letters.
'embraced' becomes 'hugged' ('hug' can be a synonym of 'embrace').
The first letter of 'cheer' is 'c'.
'c'+'hugged'='CHUGGED'

'and' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for chugged that I've seen before include "made repeated noises" , "Collected donations for charity by stopping people in public" , "Drank a lot" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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