Crossword Genius

Warned about getting demoted and publicly flogged (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

auctioned

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'publicly flogged' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are past participle verbs, I don't see how one could define the other.

'warned about getting demoted' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'about' could be 'on' (as in a book 'on' a certain topic) and 'on' is found in the answer.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

'and' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for auctioned that I've seen before include "Sold to the highest bidder" , "Hammered away" , "Dealt with lots" , "Idea count (anag.)" , "Disposed of lots" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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