Crossword Genius

Haphazard line in passing place causing demotion (10)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

sidelining

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'causing demotion' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.

'haphazard line in passing' is the wordplay.
'haphazard' is an anagram indicator.
'in' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'passing' becomes 'siding' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'line' anagrammed gives 'elin'.
'elin' going inside 'siding' is 'SIDELINING'.

'place' is the link.

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I've seen this clue in The Times.
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