Crossword Genius

Followed the girl back the time before (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

tailed

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

'the girl back the time before' is the wordplay.
'the' becomes 't' (the is pronounced as a 't' sound in some dialects).
'girl' becomes 'Aile'.
'back the time before' becomes 'd' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
't'+'aile'+'d'='TAILED'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for tailed that I've seen before include "In slang, followed like private detective" , "Followed informally in detail" , "as a dog at the end" , "Followed like rear appendage" , "Followed, tracked" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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