Getting thumped, a graduate took off (6)

I believe the answer is:

bashed

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'getting thumped a' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.

'graduate took off' is the wordplay.
'graduate' becomes 'ba' (someone with a Bachelor of Arts degree).
'took off' becomes 'shed' (I've seen this in another clue).
'ba'+'shed'='BASHED'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for bashed that I've seen before include "Hit hard" , "Struck violently" .)

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