Crossword Genius

Horrid red giant steps up: or down! (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

gradient

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'steps up or down' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.

'horrid red giant' is the wordplay.
'horrid' indicates anagramming the letters.
'red'+'giant'='redgiant'
'redgiant' is an anagram of 'GRADIENT'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for gradient that I've seen before include "Rise" , "Perhaps one in ten" , "Treading (anag) - slope" , "Level of steepness" , "Angle of slope" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sun.
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