Crossword Genius

Thrashing learner restricted by deficiency (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

flailing

'thrashing' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'learner restricted by deficiency' is the wordplay.
'learner' becomes 'l'.
'restricted by' is an insertion indicator (I've seen this in other clues).
'deficiency' becomes 'failing'.
'l' placed within 'failing' is 'FLAILING'.

(Another definition for flailing that I've seen is " floundering".)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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