Crossword Genius

One stands in pass, climbing with hesitation (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

locum

'one stands in' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'pass climbing with hesitation' is the wordplay.
'pass' becomes 'col' (col is a term for a mountain pass).
'climbing' is a reversal indicator (in a down clue, letters climb up).
'with' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'hesitation' becomes 'um' (um is said in hesitation).
'col' reversed gives 'loc'.
'loc'+'um'='LOCUM'

(Other definitions for locum that I've seen before include "Temporary deputy for doctor" , "temporary occupant" , "One stands in" , "Stand-in GP" , "Professional who substitutes temporarily for another" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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