Crossword Genius

Take sweetheart and run (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

elope

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

'take' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both to do with motion as well as being verbs in their base form.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'sweetheart and run' is the wordplay.
'sweetheart' becomes 'e' (the middle letter or heart of 'sweet').
'and' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'run' becomes 'lope' (loping is a kind of running).
'e'+'lope'='ELOPE'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for elope that I've seen before include "Flee to wed" , "Run away to get married" , "Run away in secret" , "Run away with one's beloved" , "leave with lover" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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