Crossword Genius

Sponge has an unpleasant smell (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

pong

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

'an unpleasant smell' is the definition.
'pong' can be an answer for 'smell' (pong can informally mean a bad smell). I am not certain of the 'an unpleasant' bit.

'sponge has' is the wordplay.
'has' indicates a hidden word.
'PONG' is hidden within 'sponge'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for pong that I've seen before include "Reek" , "Niff" , "Bad smell" , "Stench" , "Nasty smell (informal)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Mirror.
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