Crossword Genius

Reluctance to move in time is holding it up (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

inertia

'reluctance to move' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'in time is holding it up' is the wordplay.
'time' becomes 'era' (I've seen this before**).
'is holding' is an insertion indicator.
'up' shows that the letters should be reversed in order (in down clue: letters go upwards).
'it' back-to-front is 'ti'.
'era' placed around 'ti' is 'ertia'.
'in'+'ertia'='INERTIA'

(Other definitions for inertia that I've seen before include "Lack of movement" , "Disinclination to change" , "Lethargy" , "Slowness to take action, state of laziness" , "Sort of reel" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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