Don't start arguments and beatings (6)

I believe the answer is:

lashes

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'beatings' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both acts as well as being plural nouns.
Maybe there's a link between them I don't understand?

I don't understand the rest of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for lashes that I've seen before include "they could be batted" , "Blows delivered with a whip" , "on the lid" , "Binds" , "Strikes with a whip" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.

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