Crossword Genius

Squirm and shrivel when right out of place (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

writhe

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

'squirm' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'and shrivel when right out of place' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'right' could be 'r' (common abbreviation) and 'r' is found within the answer.
'and' could be 'with' and 'with' is found within the remaining letters.
A single letter 'e' remains which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for writhe that I've seen before include "'Twist, squirm (6)'" , "Wriggle" , "Thrash" , "worm" , "Move sinuously" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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