Crossword Genius

Prepares to eat apple initially, backing out of it (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

asleep

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'out of it' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.

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(Other definitions for asleep that I've seen before include "In the Land of Nod" , "In the arms fo Morpheus" , "Dormant; inattentive" , "Having forty winks" , "Conked out" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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