Flapper admits boss shot shooter (8)
I believe the answer is:
crossbow
'shooter' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe there's a link between them I don't understand?
'flapper admits boss shot' is the wordplay.
'flapper' becomes 'crow' (crow is a kind of birdanimal).
'admits' is an insertion indicator (to admit is to allow in).
'shot' indicates an anagram.
'boss' anagrammed gives 'ssbo'.
'crow' going around 'ssbo' is 'CROSSBOW'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for crossbow that I've seen before include "Ancient weapon, shot bolts" , "Old weapon of war" , "Weapon for shooting bolts" , "One responsible for shooting bolts" , "Missile-launcher" .)