It’s absorbing, what a cadger can do (6)

I believe the answer is:

sponge

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'it's absorbing' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.

(Other definitions for sponge that I've seen before include "drunkard or > hanger-on" , "Sea animal often found in bathroom" , "Porous fibres for soaking up" , "Bum - cleaner" , "Marine invertebrate" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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