Had a launch that was blinking rotten! (7,3)
I believe the answer is:
blasted off
'had a launch' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both to do with contact as well as being past participle verbs.
Perhaps you can see an association between them that I don't see?
'blinking rotten' is the wordplay.
'blinking' becomes 'blasted' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'rotten' becomes 'off' (rotten food is 'off').
'blasted'+'off'='BLASTED OFF'
'that was' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution?
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