Crossword Genius

Take the lead but quietly drop back later (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

precede

'take the lead' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'quietly drop back later' is the wordplay.
'quietly' becomes 'p' (musical symbol).
'drop back' becomes 're-cede' (I've seen this in another clue).
'later' says to put letters next to each other.
'p'+'recede'='PRECEDE'

'but' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for precede that I've seen before include "Come before (something)" , "Forerun" , "Go before in time or order" , "Go before (someone)" , "Lead the way" .)

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