Crossword Genius

Enjoyed oneself, having tricked sailor - and everyone (3,1,4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

had a ball

'enjoyed oneself' is the definition.
(having a ball means having a great time)

'tricked sailor and everyone' is the wordplay.
'tricked' becomes 'had' (to have someone can mean to trick them).
'sailor' becomes 'ab' (abbreviation for able seaman).
'and' says to put letters next to each other.
'everyone' becomes 'all' (all people).
'had'+'ab'+'all'='HAD A BALL'

'having' is the link.

(Other definitions for had a ball that I've seen before include "were greatly entertained" , "Enjoyed oneself enormously" , "raised the roof" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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