Crossword Genius

Loss of status makes us miserable before autumn (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

downfall

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

'loss of status' is the definition.
'downfall' can be an answer for 'loss' (I have seen 'loss of power' mean 'downfall' so perhaps 'loss' could also mean 'downfall'). I'm not sure about the 'of status' bit.

'miserable before autumn' is the wordplay.
'miserable' becomes 'down'.
'before' says to put letters next to each other.
'autumn' becomes 'fall' (synonyms).
'down'+'fall'='DOWNFALL'

'makes us' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for downfall that I've seen before include "burst of rain" , "Cloudburst" , "Ruin, humiliation" , "(Cause of) ruin" , "state of ruin" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.
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