Duel? Pot shot happened just before! (3,2,2)
I believe the answer is:
led up to
'happened just before' is the definition.
'duel? pot shot' is the wordplay.
'shot' indicates an anagram.
'duel'+'pot'='duelpot'
'duelpot' is an anagram of 'LED UP TO'.
I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution?
Install my app