Crossword Genius

Bulk balanced in a mishap can make one very bruised (5-3-4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

black-and-blue

'one very bruised' is the definition.
(beaten black-and-blue)

'bulk balanced in a mishap' is the wordplay.
'in a mishap' indicates anagramming the letters.
'bulk'+'balanced'='bulkbalanced'
'bulkbalanced' anagrammed gives 'BLACK-AND-BLUE'.

'can make' is the link.

(Other definitions for black-and-blue that I've seen before include "Battered" , "Badly bruised" , "Livid from bruising" , "Discoloured by bruises" , "covered in bruises" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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