Crossword Genius

Abuse one intends to pay for (3-5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

ill-treat

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

'abuse' is the definition.
(I know that abuse can be written as ill-treat)

'one intends to pay for' is the wordplay.
'one intends' becomes 'ill' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'to pay for' becomes 'treat' (I've seen this before).
'ill'+'treat'='ILL-TREAT'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for ill-treat that I've seen before include "Act cruelly towards (someone)" , "Abuse" , "Subject to cruel or abusive usage" , "Misuse" , "Use someone badly or cruelly" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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