Crossword Genius

Slackening in mid-career assignment (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

remission

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

'mid-career assignment' is the wordplay.
'mid' says to take the centre (mid- can mean the middle of something).
'assignment' becomes 'mission' (mission is a kind of assignment).
The central letters of 'career' are 're'.
're'+'mission'='REMISSION'

'in' is the link.

(Other definitions for remission that I've seen before include "Reduction of sentence" , "Reprieve" , "Forgiveness for sins for missioner" , "improvement in patient's condition" , "Reduction of charge" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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