Chap avoiding pained expression gets cut down (4)

I believe the answer is:

fell

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'cut down' is the definition.
(I know that cut down can be written as fell)

I don't understand how the remainder of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for fell that I've seen before include "Cut down; hill" , "Highland moor" , "Fierce" , "Knock down - came down" , "High moorland or unforested hill in the UK" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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