Crossword Genius

Place this person left, backing out of it? (3,2)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

lit up

'out of it?' is the definition.
(both can mean drunk)

'place this person left backing' is the wordplay.
'place' becomes 'put' (synonyms).
'this person' becomes 'I' (the person writing).
'left' becomes 'l' (common abbreviation).
'backing' says the letters should be written backwards.
'put'+'i'+'l'='putil'
'putil' written backwards gives 'LIT-UP'.

(Other definitions for lit up that I've seen before include "was illuminating" , "like a bulb, perhaps?" , "Started smoking - being drugged!" , "Illuminated (by drink or drugs?)" , "bulb so transformed room?" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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