Crossword Genius

Not so awful that it stops you in your tracks? (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

passable

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

'stops you in your tracks?' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.

'not so awful that it' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'so' could be 'as' (e.g. phrases like 'not as tall' and 'not so tall') and 'as' is located in the answer.
'it' could be 'sa' (SA can mean sex appeal, as in 'it') and 'sa' is located in the answer.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for passable that I've seen before include "Merely satisfactory" , "examinations should be!" , "Fair" , "not hogging the road" , "Barely adequate" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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