Evade second escape clause? (4,3)
I believe the answer is:
back out
'evade' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both to do with communicating as well as being verbs in their base form.
Maybe you can see a link between them that I don't see?
'second escape clause?' is the wordplay.
'second' becomes 'back' (to second a motion is to back it).
'escape clause?' becomes 'out' (I've seen this in another clue).
'back'+'out'='BACK OUT'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for back out that I've seen before include "Withdraw from a commitment" , "Withdraw from agreement in outback" , "Get cold feet" , "Withdraw from agreement, or reverse car from driveway" , "in the open air again?" .)