Crossword Genius

Challenged about blocking father (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

dared

'challenged' is the definition.
(daring is a kind of challenging)

'about blocking father' is the wordplay.
'about' becomes 're' (common abbreviation for 'with reference to').
'blocking' is an insertion indicator.
'father' becomes 'dad' (dad is a kind of father).
're' placed within 'dad' is 'DARED'.

(Other definitions for dared that I've seen before include "was bold enough" , "Goaded" , "Challenged (to a deed)" , "Defied, challenged" , "Made bold" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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