France leaves freelances to snake-like fish (4)
I believe the answer is:
eels
'snake-like fish' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
I don't understand how the remainder of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for eels that I've seen before include "Snakelike fishes" , "Odd fish found in the lees" , "Congers" , "Conger --; jellied --" , "Slithery fish" .)