Crossword Genius

Finished with old flame before pride damaged (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

expired

'finished' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'old flame before pride damaged' is the wordplay.
'old flame' becomes 'ex' (I've seen this in other clues).
'before' says to put letters next to each other.
'damaged' indicates anagramming the letters.
'pride' anagrammed gives 'pired'.
'ex'+'pired'='EXPIRED'

'with' is the link.

(Other definitions for expired that I've seen before include "Died; elapsed" , "Deceased" , "Became invalid" , "Came to an end" , "Run out" .)

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