Savage married a posh student (4)
I believe the answer is:
maul
'savage' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'married a posh student' is the wordplay.
'married' becomes 'm'.
'posh' becomes 'u' (abbreviation for upper-class - opposite to non-u).
'student' becomes 'l' (as in L-plates for learner drivers).
'm'+'a'+'u'+'l'='MAUL'
(Other definitions for maul that I've seen before include "Attack fiercely, tearing the flesh" , "Injure by pawing" , "Injure seriously -- heavy hammer" , "Ill-treat" , "Injure with claws" .)