Crossword Genius

Thrust upwards and do damage (3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

mar

'do damage' is the definition.
(marring is a kind of damaging)

'thrust upwards' is the wordplay.
'thrust' becomes 'ram' (ramming is a kind of thrusting).
'upwards' shows that the letters should be reversed in order.
'ram' backwards is 'MAR'.

'and' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for mar that I've seen before include "Blight" , "Spoil or deface" , "Spanish main?" , "'Impair, spoil (3)'" , "A windy month" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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