Butter or jam (6)
I believe the answer is:
scrape
This might be a double definition.
'butter' is the first definition.
The definition and answer can be both to do with contact as well as being verbs in their base form.
Maybe you can see an association between them that I don't see?
'jam' is the second definition.
(both can mean a difficult situation)
'or' acts as a 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" .)