Crossword Genius

Collapse as fellow has trouble (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

fail

'collapse' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'fellow has trouble' is the wordplay.
'fellow' becomes 'f' (abbreviation - of a society etc.).
'has' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'trouble' becomes 'ail' (synonyms).
'f'+'ail'='FAIL'

'as' is the link.

(Other definitions for fail that I've seen before include "Flunk" , "Be unsuccessful, say in exam" , "Let down" , "Stop working properly" , "Break down" .)

I've seen this clue in The Mirror.
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