Crossword Genius

Mostly endure down-a-man side getting thrashed (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

beaten

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

'thrashed' is the definition.
('beat' can be a synonym of 'thrash')

'mostly endure down-a-man side' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'down' could be 'eat' (I've seen this in another clue) and 'eat' is present in the answer.
'man' could be 'ben' and 'ben' is present in the leftover letters.
No letters remain.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

'getting' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for beaten that I've seen before include "Describes a path much trodden" , "Well used" , "Conquered" , "Baffled" , "Hammered" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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