Feeling left following a smack? (10)
I believe the answer is:
aftertaste
'a smack?' is the definition.
(thesaurus)
'feeling left following' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'feeling' could be 'taste' (taste is a kind of feeling) and 'taste' is found in the answer.
'following' could be 'after' (following can mean after or as a result of) and 'after' is found in the answer.
This accounts for all the letters.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for aftertaste that I've seen before include "Consumer sensation" , "as the table is cleared?" , "Relish experienced" , "Residue on the palate" , "Unpleasant feeling left behind" .)