Crossword Genius

Staff cut laid out (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

poleaxed

'laid out' is the definition.
(both can mean shocked)

'staff cut' is the wordplay.
'staff' becomes 'pole' (I've seen this before).
'cut' becomes 'axed' (I've seen this in another clue).
'pole'+'axed'='POLEAXED'

(Other definitions for poleaxed that I've seen before include "Felled" , "Greatly shocked" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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