Crossword Genius

Make out, as before, you'll minister to (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

pretend

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

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

'you'll minister to' is the wordplay.
'you'll' becomes 'pre' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'minister to' becomes 'tend' (minister can mean to nurse or tend to).
'pre'+'tend'='PRETEND'

'as before' acts as a link.
I am not very happy about this link. Some or all of it may be part of another bit of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for pretend that I've seen before include "Imagine" , "Make believe - imply falsely" , "Profess falsely" , "Simulated" , "Imaginary, make-believe" .)

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