Get even; rake badly to pay back (4,7)

I believe the answer is:

take revenge

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

'get even' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'rake badly to pay back' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
an anagram of 'rake' is 'aker' which is within the answer.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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