Crossword Genius

Shocked learner having begun outside (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

startled

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

'shocked' is the definition.
(startling is a kind of shocking)

'learner having begun outside' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'learner' could be 'l' (as in a learner driver with L-plates on their car) and 'l' is present in the answer.
'begun' could be 'started' ('start' can be a synonym of 'begin') and 'started' is found within the remaining letters.
No letters remain.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for startled that I've seen before include "Taken aback" , "Caused sudden alarm" , "Scared" , "Surprised with fright" , "Frightened or surprised suddenly" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.
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