Crossword Genius

Flop Gilbert and Sullivan initially backed (3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

sag

'flop' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'gilbert and sullivan initially backed' is the wordplay.
'initially' indicates taking the first letters.
'backed' is a reversal indicator.
The first letters of 'gilbert and sullivan' is 'gas'.
'gas' back-to-front is 'SAG'.

(Other definitions for sag that I've seen before include "Lose energy" , "Slump" , "Sink, hang down" , "Sinking" , "Droop, sink in the middle" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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