French one never out to destroy confidence (7)
I believe the answer is:
unnerve
'destroy confidence' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.
'french one never out' is the wordplay.
'french one' becomes 'un' ('one' in French).
'out' is an anagram indicator (out can mean wrong or inaccurate).
'never' with letters rearranged gives 'nerve'.
'un'+'nerve'='UNNERVE'
'to' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for unnerve that I've seen before include "Intimidate" , "Discourage - demoralise" , "Deprive of courage" , "Frighten" , "Deprive of confidence" .)