Crossword Genius

Does he keep his distance? (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

miles

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

'does he' is the definition.
'Miles' can be an answer for 'he'. I am not certain of the 'does' bit.

'keep his distance?' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'distance?' could be 'mil' (I have seen 'tiny distance' mean 'mil' so perhaps 'distance' could also mean 'mil') and 'mil' is found within the answer.
The remaining letters 'es' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for miles that I've seen before include "Imperial units of length" , "'But I have promises to keep, and . . . . . to go before I sleep' (Frost)" , "a long way" , "Distance units" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app