Crossword Genius

Coppers may get old, yet still be progressive (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

plod

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'coppers may get old yet still be progressive' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.

'coppers may get old' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'coppers' could be 'p' and 'p' is located in the answer.
an anagram of 'old' is 'lod' which is within the answer.
This accounts for all the letters.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for plod that I've seen before include "Slow heavy walk" , "Walk slowly and laboriously" , "Walk with effort" , "Policeman - walk slowly" , "Walk slowly and heavily" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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