Underdog, abused but connected to reality (8)
I believe the answer is:
grounded
'connected to reality' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.
'underdog abused' is the wordplay.
'abused' indicates anagramming the letters.
'underdog' with letters rearranged gives 'GROUNDED'.
'but' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for grounded that I've seen before include "Punished teenager by confining to house - poor underdog" , "Prevented from flying" , "Not allowed to fly" , "prevented from leaving home" , "Earthed" .)