Crossword Genius

Appear frightened to have debt while in credit (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

cower

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

'appear frightened' is the definition.
(as in cowering in fear)

'have debt while in credit' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'have debt' could be 'owe' (to owe money) and 'owe' is located in the answer.
'credit' could be 'cr' and 'cr' is found within the leftover letters.
No letters remain.
This may be the basis of clue (or it may be nonsense).

'to' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for cower that I've seen before include "Quail" , "Bend in fear" , "Cringe in fear" , "Shrink back in fear" , "Cringe, crouch" .)

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