Gave an oath, worse off (5)

I believe the answer is:

swore

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'gave an oath' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both to do with communicating as well as being past participle verbs.
Maybe there's an association between them I don't understand?

'worse off' is the wordplay.
'off' indicates an anagram.
'worse' is an anagram of 'SWORE'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for swore that I've seen before include "Uttered profanities or avowed" , "Blasphemed" , "used bad language" , "Took oath or cursed" .)

I've seen this clue in The Mirror.

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