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Attacked and split down the middle, abandoned by wife (4,4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

tore into

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'attacked' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are past participle verbs, I cannot understand how they can define each other.

'split down the middle abandoned by wife' is the wordplay.
'split' becomes 'tore' (I've seen this in another clue).
'down the middle' becomes 'in two' (I've seen this in another clue).
'abandoned by' is a deletion indicator.
'wife' becomes 'w' (abbreviation).
'intwo' with 'w' taken away is 'into'.
'tore'+'into'='TORE INTO'

'and' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for tore into that I've seen is " censured".)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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