Crossword Genius

Downward spiral perhaps follows fix

Ross

I believe the answer is:

tailspin

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

'downward spiral perhaps' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.

'follows fix' is the wordplay.
'follows' becomes 'tails' (I've seen this before).
'fix' becomes 'pin' (pinning is a kind of fixing).
'tails'+'pin'='TAILSPIN'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for tailspin that I've seen before include "Alpinist (anag) -- state of panic" , "Spiral aeroplane dive" , "Spiral dive of aircraft in trouble" , "that could result in crash" , "confused state" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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