Crossword Genius

Made up lost ground when towed home (6,4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

pulled back

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'made up lost ground' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both to do with contact as well as being past participle verbs.
Perhaps you can see a link between them that I can't see?

'towed home' is the wordplay.
'towed' becomes 'pulled' (I've seen this in another clue).
'home' becomes 'back' (I can't justify this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'pulled'+'back'='PULLED BACK'

'when' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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