Crossword Genius

Go close, ignoring a person beyond help? (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

goner

'person beyond help?' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'go close ignoring a' is the wordplay.
'close' becomes 'near' (synonyms).
'ignoring' suggests deleting specific letters.
'near' with 'a' removed is 'ner'.
'go'+'ner'='GONER'

(Other definitions for goner that I've seen before include "Someone beyond help" , "No-hoper" , "Someone beyond any hope of recovery" , "Doomed person" , "one with no future" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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