Dined with a solicitor around end of case (3,3)
I believe the answer is:
ate out
'dined' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both related to consumption as well as being past participle verbs.
Perhaps there's a link between them I don't understand?
'a solicitor around end of case' is the wordplay.
'solicitor' becomes 'tout' (someone who solicits business).
'around' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'end of' says to take the final letters.
The final letter of 'case' is 'e'.
'tout' enclosing 'e' is 'teout'.
'a'+'teout'='ATE OUT'
'with' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for ate out that I've seen before include "Had dinner in restaurant" , "didn't cook at home?" , "'Didn't dine at home (3,3)'" .)