Flog small bottle, no adult present (7)

I believe the answer is:

scourge

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'flog' is the definition.
(I know that flog is the is a more specific form of the action of scourge.)

I can't explain the rest of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for scourge that I've seen before include "Whip; source of suffering" , "One providing lashings" , "Affliction - whip" , "menace" , "form of punishment" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.

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