Crossword Genius

Dull poet on the rise (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

drab

'dull' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)

'poet on the rise' is the wordplay.
'poet' becomes 'bard' (bard is a kind of poet).
'on the rise' says the letters should be written in reverse (in a down clue, letters go up).
'bard' back-to-front is 'DRAB'.

(Other definitions for drab that I've seen before include "Cheerless, shabby" , "Dull - dreary" , "Colourless like bard" , "Drearily dull; slattern" , "Dull sort of bard" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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