Crossword Genius

Personally involved with worker -- occasionally swoon! (5-2)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

hands-on

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'personally involved' is the definition.
The answer and definition are not the same part of speech. However, adjectives and past participle verbs can occasionally define each other.

'with worker occasionally swoon' is the wordplay.
'with' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'worker' becomes 'hand' (hand is a kind of worker).
'occasionally' means one should take alternating letters (letters taken at regular intervals or occasions).
The alternate letters of 'swoon' are 'son'.
'hand' next to 'son' is 'HANDS-ON'.

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(Other definitions for hands-on that I've seen before include "Involving direct practical participation" , "Involving practical participation rather than theory" , "Actively involved" , "Practical (training)" , "Practical, working something directly - or manually" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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