Crossword Genius

Leant on the tree and collapsed (10)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

threatened

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

'leant' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both to do with fundamental existence as well as being past participle verbs.
Maybe you can see a link between them that I can't see?

'the tree and collapsed' is the wordplay.
'collapsed' is an anagram indicator.
'the'+'tree'+'and'='thetreeand'
'thetreeand' with letters rearranged gives 'THREATENED'.

'on' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for threatened that I've seen before include "Put at risk, endangered" , "was imminent" , "Menaced" , "Facing danger" , "potentially facing extinction" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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