Crossword Genius

Scramble to advance career — as traitor? (3,4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

rat race

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'scramble' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both acts as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe you can see an association between them that I can't see?

'advance career as traitor?' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'career' could be 'race' (career can mean to race around) and 'race' is present in the answer.
'traitor?' could be 'rat' (rat can mean a treacherous person) and 'rat' is found within the answer.
No letters remain.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

'to' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for rat race that I've seen before include "The competitive society" , "competitive lifestyle" , "Struggle for necessities" , "keen competition" , "Working life's struggle" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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