Failed to keep a level head and got thrashed (7)

I believe the answer is:

flailed

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'thrashed' is the definition.
('flail' can be a synonym of 'thrash')

'failed to keep a level head' is the wordplay.
'to keep' is an insertion indicator.
'head' suggests taking the first letters.
The initial letter of 'level' is 'l'.
'failed' enclosing 'l' is 'FLAILED'.

'and got' is the link.
I am not very happy about this link. Some or all of it may belong to another bit of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for flailed that I've seen before include "Swung wildly" , "Thrashed around" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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