A plain fellow treated like a doormat (7,2)
I believe the answer is:
stepped on
'treated like a doormat' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.
'a plain fellow' is the wordplay.
'a plain' becomes 'steppe' (steppe is a kind of plain).
'fellow' becomes 'don' (both can mean an academic).
'steppe'+'don'='STEPPED ON'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Another definition for stepped on that I've seen is " abused".)
I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution?
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