Crossword Genius

Time to stop actual backtracking afterwards (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

later

'afterwards' is the definition.
(I know that afterwards can be written as later)

'time to stop actual backtracking' is the wordplay.
'time' becomes 't' (abbreviation).
'to stop' is an insertion indicator (inserted letters plug or stop a gap).
'actual' becomes 'real' (similar in meaning).
'backtracking' says the letters should be written in reverse.
't' placed within 'real' is 'retal'.
'retal' in reverse letter order is 'LATER'.

(Other definitions for later that I've seen before include "Not just yet" , "succeeding" , "goodbye" , "At some time afterwards" , "At a subsequent time" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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