Crossword Genius

How to get letters after your name, gradually (2,7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

by degrees

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'gradually' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'how to get letters after your name' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'letters' could be 'degree' (I've seen this before) and 'degree' is present in the answer.
The remaining letters 'bys' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for by degrees that I've seen before include "How graduates gained success at university" , "Step by step, gradually (2.7)" , "A little at a time" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Independent.
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