Crossword Genius

Got clear, or was caught (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

netted

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

'caught' is the definition.
(netting is a kind of catching)

'got clear or' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'clear' could be 'nett' (similar in meaning) and 'nett' is found in the answer.
The remaining letters 'ed' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

'was' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for netted that I've seen before include "Captured" , "Caught fish, perhaps, and made clear profit" , "Caught (like butterfly)" , "caught in the wet?" , "Trapped" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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