X Factor in complaint I'm escalating (5)

I believe the answer is:

times

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'x' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'in complaint i'm escalating' is the wordplay.
'in' indicates the answer is hidden within the clue.
'TIMES' is hidden in the letters of 'complaint im escalating'.

'factor' is the link.
This may not be right. It may be part of another bit of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for times that I've seen before include "''For the ..., they are a'changin'''(Bob Dylan)" , "Square in New York" , "Big Apple's theatre district" , "Periods, ages" , "See 10" .)

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