Crossword Genius

Dealing so unexpectedly to get close (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

alongside

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

'dealing so unexpectedly' is the wordplay.
'unexpectedly' indicates anagramming the letters.
'dealing'+'so'='dealingso'
'dealingso' anagrammed gives 'ALONGSIDE'.

'to get' is the link.

(Other definitions for alongside that I've seen before include "Next to - alien dogs (anag)" , "next door" , "Age-old sin (anag.)" , "Bordering" , "Next to, another boat say" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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