Crossword Genius

Set off to be an expert ticket seller (5,3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

start out

'set off' is the definition.
('start out' can be a synonym of 'set off')

'expert ticket seller' is the wordplay.
'expert' becomes 'star' (star is a kind of expert).
'ticket seller' becomes 'tout' (I've seen this before).
'star'+'tout'='START OUT'

'to be an' is the link.

(Other definitions for start out that I've seen before include "Go off" , "Set off" , "hit the road" , "Take off" , "launch" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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