Crossword Genius

Before being in the red (3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

ere

'before' is the definition.
(poetic term for 'before')

'in the red' is the wordplay.
'in' indicates a hidden word.
'ERE' can be found hidden inside 'the red'.

'being' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for ere that I've seen before include "Before (in poetry)" , "Old word for before" , "Old prior" , "Archaic word for before - a palindrome" , "Before (in time)" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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