Crossword Genius

Messed things up by putting a bribe on the table first (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

bungled

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'messed things up by' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.

'a bribe on the table first' is the wordplay.
'a bribe' becomes 'bung' (I've seen this before).
'on' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'the table first' becomes 'led' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'bung'+'led'='BUNGLED'

'putting' acts as a link.

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(Other definitions for bungled that I've seen before include "Slipped up there" , "mismanaged" , "Spoiled through incompetence" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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