Crossword Genius

Dutiful bit done badly involves leader in embarrassment (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

obedient

'dutiful' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'bit done badly involves leader in embarrassment' is the wordplay.
'badly' is an anagram indicator.
'involves' indicates putting letters inside.
'leader in' indicates taking the first letters.
The initial letter of 'embarrassment' is 'e'.
'bit'+'done'='bitdone'
'bitdone' anagrammed gives 'obdient'.
'obdient' placed around 'e' is 'OBEDIENT'.

(Other definitions for obedient that I've seen before include "Submissive, biddable" , "co-operative?" , "Deferential" , "Doing what one is told, compliant" , "Ready to submit to authority" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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