Crossword Genius

Schoolkid on vacation trapping brown bear (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

stand

'bear' is the definition.
('stand' can be a synonym of 'bear')

'schoolkid on vacation trapping brown' is the wordplay.
'on vacation' suggests removing the centre.
'trapping' indicates putting letters inside.
'brown' becomes 'tan' (tan is a kind of brown).
'schoolkid' with its centre taken out is 'sd'.
'sd' going around 'tan' is 'STAND'.

(Other definitions for stand that I've seen before include "Remain unaltered, tolerate" , "Seek election; attitude" , "Platform; attitude" , "group of trees" , "Sit here at a sports event" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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