Weakens and falls behind after a flying start (5)
I believe the answer is:
flags
'weakens' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both related to change as well as being verbs in their -s form.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'falls behind after a flying start' is the wordplay.
'falls behind' becomes 'lags' ('lag' can be a synonym of 'fall behind').
'after' says to put letters next to each other.
'start' suggests taking the first letters.
The first letter of 'flying' is 'f'.
'lags' put after 'f' is 'FLAGS'.
'and' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for flags that I've seen before include "Tires; national symbols" , "Banners" , "Declines" , "Standards" , "Droops" .)