Crossword Genius

Worn out fellow going round kept going for ages (7,2)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

dragged on

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'kept going for ages' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both to do with fundamental existence as well as being past participle verbs.
Perhaps there's a link between them I don't understand?

'worn out fellow going round' is the wordplay.
'worn out' becomes 'ragged' (I've seen this in another clue).
'fellow' becomes 'don' (both can mean an academic).
'going round' is an insertion indicator (some letters go around others).
'ragged' put inside 'don' is 'DRAGGED ON'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for dragged on that I've seen before include "continued tediously" , "failed to finish" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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