Crossword Genius

Desert nation's competition (3,4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

rat race

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

'desert nation's' is the wordplay.
'desert' becomes 'rat' (abandon treacherously).
'nation' becomes 'race' (I've seen this before).
'rat'+'race'='RAT-RACE'

(Other definitions for rat race that I've seen before include "day-to-day struggle" , "keen competition" , "The daily grind" , "Rare cat (anag.)" , "The struggle for survival" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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