Crossword Genius

Bullies first off put in order for rough conduct? (3-3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

ill-use

'rough conduct?' is the definition.
(ill-use is mistreatment of someone)

'bullies first off put in order' is the wordplay.
'first off' means to remove the first letter.
'put in order' is an anagram indicator (letters put into the right order).
'bullies' with its first letter taken off is 'ullies'.
'ullies' is an anagram of 'ILL-USE'.

'for' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for ill-use that I've seen before include "Treat cruelly - abuse" , "Treat badly or cruelly" , "Mistreat" , "Maltreat, abuse" , "Maltreatment" .)

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