Crossword Genius

Extends contract and steps down (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

resigns

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

'steps down' is the definition.
(resigning is a kind of stepping down)

'extends contract' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'contract' could be 'sign' (signing is a kind of contracting) and 'sign' is located in the answer.
The remaining letters 'res' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

'and' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for resigns that I've seen before include "does the honourable thing" , "Gives up (a post)" , "abdicates" , "Leaves job voluntarily" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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