Crossword Genius

Stands for retreat by twinkle toes (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

denotes

'stands for' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'retreat by twinkle toes' is the wordplay.
'retreat' becomes 'den' (both can mean a lair or hideout).
'by' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'twinkle' indicates anagramming the letters (I've seen 'twinkling' mean this).
'toes' anagrammed gives 'otes'.
'den'+'otes'='DENOTES'

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