Crossword Genius

Poor start led expert losing time to be confused (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

perplexed

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'confused' is the definition.
('perplex' can be a synonym of 'confuse')

'poor start led expert losing time to be' is the wordplay.
'poor start' becomes 'p' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'losing' indicates named letters should be taken away.
'time' becomes 't' (abbreviation).
'to be' indicates anagramming the letters.
'led'+'expert'='ledexpert'
'ledexpert' with 't' taken away is 'ledexper'.
'ledexper' is an anagram of 'erplexed'.
'p'+'erplexed'='PERPLEXED'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for perplexed that I've seen before include "Baffled" , "Discombobulated" , "Puzzled" , "Bewildered" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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