Crossword Genius

Lets off a creepy motelier (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

abates

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

'lets' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both related to change as well as being verbs in their -s form.
Perhaps you can see a link between them that I can't see?

'off a creepy motelier' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'a' is within the answer.
The remaining letters 'bates' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This may be the basis of clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for abates that I've seen before include "Subsides" , "Becomes less strong like storm" , "Becomes less intense" , "has a fall" , "Grows less intense" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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