Bishop to survive explosion (5)
I believe the answer is:
blast
'explosion' is the definition.
(blast is a kind of explosion)
'bishop to survive' is the wordplay.
'bishop' becomes 'B' (chess abbreviation).
'to survive' becomes 'last' (synonyms).
'b'+'last'='BLAST'
(Other definitions for blast that I've seen before include "Blow up or swear" , "slate" , "Damn - explosion" , "Explosion - mild oath" , "Severe reprimand; strong gust" .)