Small gangs arranging an inside job in stir? (5)
I believe the answer is:
trios
'small gangs' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both groups as well as being plural nouns.
Perhaps you can see a link between them that I don't see?
'arranging an inside job in stir?' is the wordplay.
'arranging' becomes 'setting' (setting is a kind of arranging).
'an inside' means to look at the middle letters.
'job in stir?' becomes 'rios' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
The middle letter of 'setting' is 't'.
't'+'rios'='TRIOS'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for trios that I've seen before include "Works for three players" , "Groups of three" .)