Crossword Genius

Pinching finger and lip painfully (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

pilfering

'pinching' is the definition.
('pilfer' can be a synonym of 'pinch')

'finger and lip painfully' is the wordplay.
'and' says to put letters next to each other.
'painfully' indicates an anagram (letters get injured).
'finger' after 'lip' is 'lipfinger'.
'lipfinger' with letters rearranged gives 'PILFERING'.

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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