Deep trouble on way, but staff taken outside (7)
I believe the answer is:
pothole
'deep trouble on way' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.
'but staff taken outside' is the wordplay.
'but' becomes 'tho' (I've seen this in other clues).
'staff' becomes 'pole' (I've seen this before).
'taken outside' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'tho' put inside 'pole' is 'POTHOLE'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for pothole that I've seen before include "Hollow in road" , "Narrow cave" , "Deep water-made cave, pit in road" , "Problem in road" , "Hazard on a poorly-maintained road" .)