Crossword Genius

Blow up a canal (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

uppercut

'blow' is the definition.
(uppercut is a kind of blow)

'up a canal' is the wordplay.
'a' becomes 'per'.
'canal' becomes 'cut' (cut is a kind of canal).
'up'+'per'+'cut'='UPPERCUT'

(Other definitions for uppercut that I've seen before include "Boxing punch delivered vertically" , "Swinging blow in boxing" , "Boxer's blow" , "Blow from fist to chin" , "A vertical punch to chin delivered by boxer" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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