Be cruel to bats, possibly (4)

I believe the answer is:

stab

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'be cruel' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.

'bats possibly' is the wordplay.
'possibly' indicates anagramming the letters.
'bats' is an anagram of 'STAB'.

'to' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for stab that I've seen before include "Wound with pointed weapon" , "Impale; attempt" , "Try - skewer" , "Wound with blade" , "Pierce with pointed weapon" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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