Crossword Genius

Beat in blameworthy fashion (3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

lam

'beat' is the definition.
(I know that lam is a more specific form of the action beat)

'in blameworthy fashion' is the wordplay.
'in' indicates a hidden word.
'LAM' is hidden in the letters of 'blameworthy fashion'.

(Other definitions for lam that I've seen before include "Thrash; (US) escape" , "Hit hard, strike" , "Flee hastily" , "Hit hard or repeatedly" , "US criminals commonly escape?" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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