Crossword Genius

Pause, depressed, and collapse (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

breakdown

'collapse' is the definition.
(breakdown is a kind of collapse)

'pause depressed' is the wordplay.
'pause' becomes 'break' (break is a kind of pause).
'depressed' becomes 'down' ('down' can be a synonym of 'depressed').
'break'+'down'='BREAKDOWN'

'and' is the link.

(Other definitions for breakdown that I've seen before include "Collapse - analysis" , "Analysis < of separation" , "Problem with car" , "As result of mental stress" , "Detailed analysis" .)

I've seen this clue in The Mirror.
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