Crossword Genius

Ruthless chap avoiding pained expression (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

fell

'ruthless' is the definition.
(fell can mean deadly or ruthless)

I can't explain the remainder of the clue.

(Other definitions for fell that I've seen before include "Cause to tumble down < hill" , "As Jack came down" , "Brutal -- high moorland" , "Mountain - lost footing - deadly" , "Came to pass" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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