Fire predecessor when situation deteriorates? (6,3)
I believe the answer is:
frying pan
'fire' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps you can see a link between them that I can't see?
I don't understand how the remainder of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for frying pan that I've seen before include "Kitchen item" , "used in the kitchen" , "Skillet" , "In which you're better off than in the fire" , "One used to cook breakfast" .)