Crossword Genius

Elderly are proceeding cautiously about publicity, being nervous (2,6,7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

no spring chicken

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

'elderly are proceeding cautiously' is the definition.
I know nothing about this answer so I cannot judge whether it can be defined by this definition.

'publicity being nervous' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'publicity' could be 'pr' (public relations) and 'pr' is present in the answer.
'being' could be 'chick' (chick is a kind of being) and 'chick' is present in the answer.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

'about' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for no spring chicken that I've seen before include "Veteran" , "unseasoned meat, might you say?" , "old?" , "not young any more" , "One who's seasoned" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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