Figure always to change direction (4)
I believe the answer is:
veer
'change direction' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'figure always' is the wordplay.
'figure' becomes 'v' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'always' becomes 'eer' (poetic way of saying ever).
'v'+'eer'='VEER'
'to' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for veer that I've seen before include "Change direction abruptly" , "Deviate" , "Change direction sharply" , "Swerve" , "Swing around" .)