Crossword Genius

Get beaten, with nothing approximate (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

loose

'approximate' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'get beaten with nothing' is the wordplay.
'get beaten' becomes 'lose'.
'with' indicates putting letters inside.
'nothing' becomes 'o' (looks like zero - 0).
'lose' placed around 'o' is 'LOOSE'.

(Other definitions for loose that I've seen before include "Not restrained or attached" , "Relaxed; set free" , "escaped!" , "Not strict" , "Grant freedom to" .)

I've seen this clue in The Mirror.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app