Crossword Genius

Cocky, for a time (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

pert

'cocky' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'a time' is the wordplay.
'a' becomes 'per'.
'time' becomes 't'.
'per'+'t'='PERT'

'for' is the link.

(Other definitions for pert that I've seen before include "Saucy and impudent" , "Persian expert" , "Saucy and chipper" , "Forward - saucy" , "It's fresh" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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