27 across
Fool
taking
smack
maybe
loves
to
escape
(7)
Fool taking smack maybe loves to escape (7)
hints
0
checks
0
hints
The definition is at the beginning of the clue.
How the clue works
Fool is the definition. Take DOING (for "taking") and BOAT (a smack being a type of boat, hence "maybe"), then let the O's escape — "loves" gives two O's, since love means nothing or zero in tennis — leaving DING and BAT, which run together to make DINGBAT.