Just downplay occasional absences (4)

I believe the answer is:

only

'just' is the definition.
(I know that just can be written as only)

'downplay occasional absences' is the wordplay.
'occasional absences' means one should take alternating letters (letters removed at regular intervals or occasions).
The alternate letters of 'downplay' are 'ONLY'.

(Other definitions for only that I've seen before include "Simply" , "Alone; solitary" , "Exclusive - individual" , "Mere" , "Single, solitary" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.

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