Crossword Genius

Um, a carried story run before (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

earlier

'before' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'um a carried story run' is the wordplay.
'um' becomes 'er' (both said to fill in hesitation when speaking).
'carried' means one lot of letters goes inside another (one word carried by another word).
'story' becomes 'lie' (story can mean a fabrication).
'run' becomes 'r' (cricket abbreviation).
'er' going around 'a' is 'ear'.
'ear'+'lie'+'r'='EARLIER'

(Other definitions for earlier that I've seen before include "at a previous date" , "Formerly" , "Prior" , "of a bygone age?" , "Sooner - previously" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.
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