Crossword Genius

Happen only cowards could understand reasons at first! (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

occur

'happen' is the definition.
('occur' can be a synonym of 'happen')

'only cowards could understand reasons at first' is the wordplay.
'at first' suggests taking the first letters.
The first letters of 'only cowards could understand reasons' is 'OCCUR'.

(Other definitions for occur that I've seen before include "appear" , "crop up" , "Come to pass" , "Happen, transpire" , "Go on" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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