Crossword Genius

Dance, possibly whacked (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

caned

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'whacked' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both to do with contact as well as being past participle verbs.
Perhaps you can see an association between them that I don't see?

'dance possibly' is the wordplay.
'possibly' is an anagram indicator.
'dance' with letters rearranged gives 'CANED'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for caned that I've seen before include "given stick" , "punished" , "beat" , "Thoroughly defeated" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app