Crossword Genius

Strongest in group takes flight, once beaten (4,2,3,6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

king of the castle

'strongest in group' is the definition.
(the king of the castle means a powerful person)

'takes flight once beaten' is the wordplay.
'beaten' is an anagram indicator (letters beaten up or destroyed).
'takes'+'flight'+'once'='takesflightonce'
'takesflightonce' is an anagram of 'KING OF THE CASTLE'.

(Other definitions for king of the castle that I've seen before include "Chessman" , "honcho" , "move sideways in game" , "Most important person in group" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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