What does the cryptic crossword clue "Dad taking coloured liquid with hesitation, swallowing bad medicine? (10)" mean?

The definition is "medicine?". The wordplay uses a charade (building blocks). PA (synonym="dad") + INK (synonym="coloured liquid") + ILL (synonym="bad") + ER (synonym="hesitation") = PAINKILLER; definition: "medicine?" The answer is PAINKILLER.

Dad taking coloured liquid with hesitation, swallowing bad medicine? (10)

Guardian Cryptic #29481 | 24 Across | 2024-09-06 flower

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