Crossword Genius

Punishment with nothing getting in the way (3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

rod

'punishment' is the definition.
(stick used for corporal punishment)

'nothing getting in the way' is the wordplay.
'nothing' becomes 'O' (looks like zero - 0).
'getting in' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'the way' becomes 'rd' (short for road).
'o' going inside 'rd' is 'ROD'.

'with' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for rod that I've seen before include "An angler's stick" , "Wand - fishing stick" , "Baton, pole" , "A few yards" , "that most anglers use" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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