The instant the seconds are out, gives a pasting to (6)
I believe the answer is:
sticks
'a pasting to' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.
'the instant the seconds are out' is the wordplay.
'the instant' becomes 'tick' (I've seen this before).
'the seconds' becomes 'ss' (an abbreviation for seconds written twice).
'are out' indicates putting letters inside.
'tick' put within 'ss' is 'STICKS'.
'gives' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for sticks that I've seen before include "''... and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me''" , "bits of wood" , "Old fogeys" , "Refuses to move" , "Stands" .)