Crossword Genius

To inflate, for example, say, big, blue balloon - flipping work out (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

aerate

'to inflate' is the definition.
(to aerate is to fill with air)

'example say big blue balloon flipping work out' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'work' could be 'rat' (ratting is a kind of working) and 'rat' is present in the answer.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

'for' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for aerate that I've seen before include "Charge with carbon dioxide" , "Expose to fresh air" , "Put air into" , "Put bubbles into" , "Let in oxygen" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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