Crossword Genius

Letting down front, crease fabric and squeeze once (3,5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

old flame

'squeeze once' is the definition.
(squeeze can mean a lover or romantic partner)

'letting down front crease fabric' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'down' could be 'd' and 'd' is located in the answer.
'fabric' could be 'lame' (lame is a kind of fabric) and 'lame' is present in the answer.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

'and' is the link.

(Other definitions for old flame that I've seen before include "Former sweetheart" , "still 1 across [ALIGHT], it seems" , "Ex" , "Former partner" , "Someone once loved" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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