Crossword Genius

Dad in distress (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

pain

'distress' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'dad in' is the wordplay.
'dad' becomes 'pa' (both can mean one's father).
'pa'+'in'='PAIN'

(Other definitions for pain that I've seen before include "Suffering of body or mind" , "Mental distress" , "Annoying person" , "great discomfort" , "Physical discomfort" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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