Crossword Genius

Beat soldiers in the open air (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

outdoor

'in the open air' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'beat soldiers' is the wordplay.
'beat' becomes 'outdo' (outdoing is a kind of beating**).
'soldiers' becomes 'or' (Other Rank).
'outdo'+'or'='OUTDOOR'

(Other definitions for outdoor that I've seen before include "Open-air" , "healthy pursuits" , "Located in the open air" , "External" , "Done in the open" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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