Getting defeated is long in the making (6)
I believe the answer is:
losing
'making' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both related to bodily activities as well as being present participle verbs.
Maybe there's an association between them I don't understand?
'getting defeated is long in' is the wordplay.
'is long' can be anagrammed to 'LOSING'.
Though, I am not clear how the anagram is indicated.
'the' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for losing that I've seen before include "Confusing" , "Spice" , "Failing to keep" , "Behind in a competition" , "Logs in (anag.)" .)