Crossword Genius

Female friend’s rising panic (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

flap

'panic' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'female friend's rising' is the wordplay.
'female' becomes 'f' (abbreviation).
'friend' becomes 'pal' (pal is a kind of friend).
'rising' says the letters should be written in reverse (going up in a down clue).
'pal' reversed gives 'lap'.
'f'+'lap'='FLAP'

(Other definitions for flap that I've seen before include "Agitated state; tab" , "Minor panic; tab" , "Use wings; be agitated" , "Wave up and down - panic" , "Flutter" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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