Crossword Genius

Friends hit back (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

pals

'friends' is the definition.
(I know this)

'hit back' is the wordplay.
'hit' becomes 'slap' (both can mean to strike).
'back' shows that the letters should be reversed in order.
'slap' back-to-front is 'PALS'.

(Another definition for pals that I've seen is " Friends".)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph and The Irish Independent.
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