Figure to lose out badly in one’s affairs (5)
I believe the answer is:
loves
'affairs' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both related to thinking as well as being plural nouns.
Maybe there's a link between them I don't understand?
I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for loves that I've seen before include "Has great affection for" , "Likes very much" , "Adores" , "Dotes on" , "Holds dear" .)