Crossword Genius

Stand mile off and pull apart (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

dismantle

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'pull apart' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are verbs in their base form, I can't understand how they can define each other.

'stand mile off' is the wordplay.
'off' is an anagram indicator.
'stand'+'mile'='standmile'
'standmile' anagrammed gives 'DISMANTLE'.

'and' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for dismantle that I've seen before include "Undo" , "Unrig" , "Take to bits" , "Pull to pieces" , "Take to pieces" .)

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