Crossword Genius

In surprise attack start to beat into a pulp (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

ambush

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

'in surprise attack' is the definition.
'ambush' can be an answer for 'attack' (ambush can mean to attack suddenly). I'm unsure of the 'in surprise' bit.

'start to beat into a pulp' is the wordplay.
'start to' suggests taking the first letters.
'into' is an insertion indicator.
'pulp' becomes 'mush' (I've seen this before).
The initial letter of 'beat' is 'b'.
'a'+'mush'='amush'
'b' inserted within 'amush' is 'AMBUSH'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for ambush that I've seen before include "Egyptian cross" , "Attack from concealment" , "Launch attack from cover" , "Jump" , "Attack from concealed position" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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