Leaders missing, check overdue copy (7)

I believe the answer is:

imitate

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'copy' is the definition.
('imitate' can be a synonym of 'copy')

I don't understand how the remainder of the clue works.

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(Other definitions for imitate that I've seen before include "Copy (mannerisms)" , "I tame it to copy it" , "I tame it (anag)" , "I ate Tim! (anag.)" , "Fake" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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