Crossword Genius

Fail to win compassion, become despondent (4,5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

lose heart

'become despondent' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'fail to win compassion' is the wordplay.
'fail to win' becomes 'lose' ('lose' can be a synonym of 'fail to win').
'compassion' becomes 'heart' (I've seen this before).
'lose'+'heart'='LOSE HEART'

(Other definitions for lose heart that I've seen before include "Falter in courage - or fall in love? (4, 5)" , "What patient may do before subsequent transplant" , "Start to despair" , "Become despondent" , "find discouragement" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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