Crossword Genius

Construct one lacking English used (3-4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

put-upon

'used' is the definition.
('put-upon' can be a synonym of 'used')

'construct one lacking english' is the wordplay.
'construct' becomes 'putup' (putting up is a kind of constructing**).
'lacking' suggests deleting specific letters.
'english' becomes 'e' (abbreviation).
'one' with 'e' taken away is 'on'.
'putup'+'on'='PUT-UPON'

(Another definition for put-upon that I've seen is " Taken advantage of".)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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