Crossword Genius

Don to back down … (3,2)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

put on

'don' is the definition.
(I know that don can be written as put on)

'back down' is the wordplay.
'back' is a reversal indicator.
'down' becomes 'not up' (I've seen this in another clue).
'notup' reversed gives 'PUT-ON'.

'to' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for put on that I've seen before include "in an unnatural way" , "Increase as with weight" , "Donned" , "Don clothes or stage play" , "Don; mount (a play)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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