Determined not to prevent being blown up! (5)
I believe the answer is:
mined
'blown up' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are past participle verbs, I don't understand how they can define each other.
'determined not to prevent' is the wordplay.
'not' suggests deleting specific letters.
'to prevent' becomes 'deter' (I've seen this before).
'determined' with 'deter' removed is 'MINED'.
'being' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for mined that I've seen before include "Excavated as for coal or diamonds" , "laid eggs" , "Placed charges" , "Dug for minerals, say coal" , "Sought diamonds?" .)