Crossword Genius

Hope to finish before eleven -- time to leave (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

exit

'leave' is the definition.
('exit' can be a synonym of 'leave')

'hope to finish before eleven time' is the wordplay.
'to finish' indicates one should take the final letters.
'before' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'eleven' becomes 'xi' (roman numeral).
'time' becomes 't'.
The final letter of 'hope' is 'e'.
'e'+'xi'+'t'='EXIT'

'to' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for exit that I've seen before include "Outlet" , "Relinquish the lead" , "Departure of actor" , "Player's departure" , "Way to leave" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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