Crossword Genius

Beat up the middleman? (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

batter

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

This could be a double definition.

'beat up' is the first definition.
(battering is a kind of beating up)

'middleman?' is the second definition.
The answer and definition can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps there's an association between them I don't understand?

'the' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for batter that I've seen before include "Strike repeatedly; cricketer" , "Beaten mixture of flour, eggs and milk for cooking" , "sportsman" , "Fish may be fried in this coating" , "Yorkshire pudding and cricket both require this" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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