Crossword Genius

Prevent notes upsetting liar (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

derail

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

'prevent' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are verbs in their base form, I cannot understand how one could define the other.

'notes upsetting liar' is the wordplay.
'notes' becomes 'de' (two musical notes).
'upsetting' indicates an anagram.
'liar' is an anagram of 'rail'.
'de'+'rail'='DERAIL'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for derail that I've seen before include "get off the line" , "Of train, force off tracks" , "stop things going smoothly" , "create an obstructive diversion" , "Force off track, like a train" .)

I've seen this clue in The Mirror.
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