Crossword Genius

He finally paused awkwardly and relaxed (5,2)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

eased up

'relaxed' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'he finally paused awkwardly' is the wordplay.
'finally' indicates one should take the final letters.
'awkwardly' indicates an anagram.
The final letter of 'he' is 'e'.
'paused' anagrammed gives 'asedup'.
'e'+'asedup'='EASED UP'

'and' is the link.

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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