Crossword Genius

Pause to get depressed and collapse (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

breakdown

'collapse' is the definition.
(breakdown is a kind of collapse)

'pause to get depressed' is the wordplay.
'pause' becomes 'break' (synonyms).
'to get' says to put letters next to each other.
'depressed' becomes 'down' (synonyms).
'break'+'down'='BREAKDOWN'

'and' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for breakdown that I've seen before include "Collapse - analysis" , "Mechanical failure" , "Detailed analysis" , "Nervous disorder" , "Analysis < of separation" .)

I've seen this clue in The Mirror.
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