Butter or jam (6)
I believe the answer is:
scrape
This might be a double definition.
'butter' is the first definition.
The answer and definition can be both to do with contact as well as being verbs in their base form.
Perhaps there's a link between them I don't understand?
'jam' is the second definition.
(both can mean a difficult situation)
'or' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for scrape that I've seen before include "Capers (anag.)" , "Use last remaining resource - . . . . . . the barrel" , "Informally, an awkward situation due to rashness" , "Graze - awkward predicament" , "Clear or smooth by grating" .)