Crossword Genius

Ticket seller, after greeting, launched a verbal attack (3,3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

hit out

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'ticket seller after greeting launched a verbal attack' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.

'ticket seller after greeting' is the wordplay.
'ticket seller' becomes 'tout' (as in a ticket tout).
'after' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'greeting' becomes 'hi' (hi is a kind of greeting).
'tout' put after 'hi' is 'HIT OUT'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for hit out that I've seen before include "Launch a verbal attack" , "Attack verbally" , "Be severely critical of" , "Aim a blow, perhaps in self-defence" , "Make a strong attack" .)

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