A detergent without a special offer (3)
I believe the answer is:
sop
'a special offer' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both acts as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'a detergent without' is the wordplay.
'detergent' becomes 'soap' (I've seen this in another clue).
'without' suggests deleting specific letters.
'soap' with 'a' taken away is 'SOP'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for sop that I've seen before include "A concession or bribe, once offered to Cerberus" , "Concession of philosophy" , "Minor concession" , "Propitiatory offering" , "A bribe or appeasement" .)