Close and hot on the way out? (10)
I believe the answer is:
endangered
'on the way out?' is the definition.
(on the way out can mean declining or dying)
'close and hot' is the wordplay.
'close' becomes 'end' (close can mean to end or finish).
'and' says to put letters next to each other.
'hot' becomes 'angered' (I've seen this in another clue).
'end'+'angered'='ENDANGERED'
(Other definitions for endangered that I've seen before include "Like some species" , "Vulnerable" , "in a perilous situation" , "compromised" , "Put in jeopardy" .)