Neaten, depressed after encounter (5,4)

I believe the answer is:

brush down

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'neaten' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are verbs in their base form, I can't see how they can define each other.

'depressed after encounter' is the wordplay.
'depressed' becomes 'down' (synonyms).
'after' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'encounter' becomes 'brush' (synonyms).
'down' after 'brush' is 'BRUSH DOWN'.

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I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.

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