Beat up Miles in a scrimmage (7)
I believe the answer is:
impulse
'a scrimmage' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both acts as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'beat up miles' is the wordplay.
'beat' is an anagram indicator.
'up'+'miles'='upmiles'
'upmiles' anagrammed gives 'IMPULSE'.
'in' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for impulse that I've seen before include "Sudden urge to do something" , "Whim; thrust" , "Impetus - whim" , "A sudden inclination to act (7)" , "Sudden or instinctive desire" .)