Crossword Genius

Have a go at hooligan getting hold of tree (4,3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

lash out

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'have a go at hooligan getting hold of tree' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.

'hooligan getting hold of tree' is the wordplay.
'hooligan' becomes 'lout' (both can mean an aggressive person).
'getting hold of' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'tree' becomes 'ash' (ash is a kind of tree).
'lout' placed around 'ash' is 'LASH OUT'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for lash out that I've seen before include "spend a fortune" , "React violently" , "Punch wildly" , "Vigorously attack" , "Spend extravagantly" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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