Crossword Genius

Mike and I leave Belgium drifting in balloon (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

bulge

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'balloon' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for bulge that I've seen before include "Swelling - sudden increase" , "Hump" , "Battle of the -----: last major German counter-offensive of WWII (1944)" , "Rounded swelling" , "Protuberance or outward swelling" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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