Former partner, hammered, unravelled (9)
I believe the answer is:
expounded
'unravelled' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are past participle verbs, I don't see how one could define the other.
'former partner hammered' is the wordplay.
'former partner' becomes 'ex' (an ex-partner).
'hammered' becomes 'pounded' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'ex'+'pounded'='EXPOUNDED'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for expounded that I've seen before include "Explained" , "made clear" , "commented on" .)