Crossword Genius

Showing initiative, but regret spin in letters (12)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

enterprising

'showing initiative' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'regret spin in letters' is the wordplay.
'letters' is an anagram indicator.
'regret'+'spin'+'in'='regretspinin'
'regretspinin' anagrammed gives 'ENTERPRISING'.

'but' is the link.

(Other definitions for enterprising that I've seen before include "Go ahead" , "daring" , "Adventurous and imaginative" , "Go-getting" , "Full of initiative" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app