Conduct to a lower floor in open clash (8)
I believe the answer is:
showdown
'floor in open clash' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both related to communication as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe you can see an association between them that I don't see?
'conduct to a lower' is the wordplay.
'conduct' becomes 'show' (showing is a kind of conducting).
'to a lower' becomes 'down' (I've seen this in another clue).
'show'+'down'='SHOWDOWN'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for showdown that I've seen before include "Final test, often found in westerns" , "Final confrontation as in western film" , "Climactic finale" , "Dramatic conclusion" , "Face-off" .)