Crossword Genius

Wally's quick rejoinder partly backfired (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

jerk

'wally's' is the definition.
(both can mean a stupid person)

'quick rejoinder partly backfired' is the wordplay.
'partly' indicates a hidden word (part of the clue is used).
'backfired' is a reversal indicator.
'krej' is hidden within 'quick rejoinder'.
'krej' backwards is 'JERK'.

(Other definitions for jerk that I've seen before include "Yank, idiot" , "Abrupt movement" , "Jolt; tug" , "Sudden tug" , "kind of lift in competition" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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