Crossword Genius

Comes forward for flight in an excited state (5,2)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

steps up

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

'comes forward' is the definition.
('step up' can be a synonym of 'come forward')

'flight in an excited state' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'excited' could be 'up' and 'up' is located in the answer.
'state' could be 'step' (step is a kind of state) and 'step' is found within the answer.
A single letter 's' remains which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

'for' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for steps up that I've seen before include "Approaches" , "Accelerates" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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