Crossword Genius

Abuse alcohol with tear running (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

maltreat

'abuse' is the definition.
(I know that abuse can be written as maltreat)

'alcohol with tear running' is the wordplay.
'alcohol' becomes 'malt' (malt is a kind of alcohol).
'with' indicates putting letters inside.
'running' indicates an anagram.
'tear' is an anagram of 'trea'.
'malt' going around 'trea' is 'MALTREAT'.

(Other definitions for maltreat that I've seen before include "Ill-use" , "Act badly or cruelly towards someone" , "Use unkindly" , "Behave badly or cruelly towards" , "Handle roughly, abuse" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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