Brought down average in actual fact (8)
I believe the answer is:
demeaned
'brought down' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are past participle verbs, I can't see how they can define each other.
'average in actual fact' is the wordplay.
'average' becomes 'mean' (type of average).
'in' indicates putting letters inside.
'actual fact' becomes 'deed' (I am not sure about the 'actual' bit.).
'mean' placed into 'deed' is 'DEMEANED'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for demeaned that I've seen before include "Degraded, put down" , "Given lower status" , "Lowered in status or reputation" , "Humiliated" , "Lowered in dignity or reputation" .)