Crossword Genius

Treading quietly, Heather is behind vehicle (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

trampling

'treading' is the definition.
('trample' can be a synonym of 'tread')

'quietly heather is behind vehicle' is the wordplay.
'quietly' becomes 'p' (p for piano and quiet).
'heather' becomes 'ling' ('ling' can be a synonym of 'heather').
'is behind' says to put letters next to each other.
'vehicle' becomes 'tram' (tram is a kind of vehicle**).
'p'+'ling'='pling'
'pling' put after 'tram' is 'TRAMPLING'.

(Another definition for trampling that I've seen is " Stepping on".)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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