Crossword Genius

Exceed limit before race is finished (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

overrun

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

'exceed limit' is the definition.
'overrun' can be an answer for 'exceed' (thesaurus). I am not sure about the 'limit' bit.

'before race is finished' is the wordplay.
'before' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'race' becomes 'run' (run is a kind of race).
'is finished' becomes 'over' (over can mean finished or ended).
'run' put after 'over' is 'OVERRUN'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for overrun that I've seen before include "Stretch too far" , "Go beyond (time/budget)" , "Plagued by" , "area beyond end of airstrip" , "(Programme) take too long; defeat easily" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app