Took a broom to the last of the mess and sobbed (5)
I believe the answer is:
swept
'took a broom' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both related to competing as well as being past participle verbs.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'the last of the mess and sobbed' is the wordplay.
'the last of' suggests the final letters.
'and' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'sobbed' becomes 'wept' (I've seen this before).
The final letter of 'mess' is 's'.
's'+'wept'='SWEPT'
'to' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for swept that I've seen before include "Used a broom" , "passed proudly" , "what daily did" , "Brushed up (dust)" , "Cleaned by brushing" .)