Crossword Genius

Frightened fish caught by the Poles (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

shaken

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'frightened' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are adjectives. Perhaps you can see an association between them that I can't see?

'fish caught by the poles' is the wordplay.
'fish' becomes 'hake' (type of fish).
'caught by' is an insertion indicator.
'the poles' becomes 'sn' (North and South poles).
'hake' put inside 'sn' is 'SHAKEN'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for shaken that I've seen before include "Distressed" , "jarred" , "Shocked; brandished" , "Upset or agitated" , "Upset - rattled" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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