Crossword Genius

A soft one can be quietly downtrodden (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

pedal

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'a soft one can' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps there's a link between them I don't understand?

I can't explain the rest of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for pedal that I've seen before include "Lever worked by foot" , "sustained note" , "part of organ" , "Power a bike" , "Of or relating to the feet" .)

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