Crossword Genius

Shame Germany, say, about to take notice (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

degrade

'shame' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'germany say about to take notice' is the wordplay.
'germany' becomes 'd' (international vehicle registration code).
'say' becomes 'eg'.
'about' becomes 're' (regarding**).
'to take' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'notice' becomes 'ad'.
're' enclosing 'ad' is 'rade'.
'd'+'eg'+'rade'='DEGRADE'

(Other definitions for degrade that I've seen before include "Humiliate" , "Deprive of dignity" , "Put down" , "Shame" , "Break down; debase" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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