Crossword Genius

Stopper was first to be handled badly (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

bungled

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'handled badly' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both to do with social activities as well as being past participle verbs.
Perhaps there's an association between them I don't understand?

'stopper was first' is the wordplay.
'stopper' becomes 'bung' (bung is a kind of stopper).
'was first' becomes 'led' (to lead is to go first).
'bung'+'led'='BUNGLED'

'to be' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for bungled that I've seen before include "mismanaged" , "Spoiled through incompetence" , "Slipped up there" .)

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