What does the cryptic crossword clue "Charlie's atop castle with traitor beheaded in retaliation (9)" mean?

The definition is "retaliation". The wordplay uses a charade (building blocks). TIT (synonym="idiot; charlie") + FORT (synonym="small fortress; castle") + AT (synonym="traitor") = TITFORTAT; definition: "in retaliation" The answer is TITFORTAT.

Charlie's atop castle with traitor beheaded in retaliation (9)

Independent Cryptic #12055 | 2 Down | 2025-05-29 flower

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