Can you really be in this when on the carpet? (3,5)
I believe the answer is:
hot water
'can you really be in this' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.
'when on the carpet?' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'when' could be 'e' (I've seen this in other clues) and 'e' is present in the answer.
'on' could be 'at' (I've seen this in other clues) and 'at' is located in the answer.
'the' could be 't' (the is pronounced as a 't' sound in some dialects) and 't' is found within the answer.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for hot water that I've seen before include "that comes at bath time?" , "The naughty get in it" , "This could mean trouble!" , "Predicament to be avoided (informal)" , "Trouble (if you're in it)" .)