Half-safe ways can be expensive (4)
I believe the answer is:
fees
'be expensive' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.
'half-safe ways' is the wordplay.
'half' means to take half the letters.
'ways' becomes 'es' (east and south - two directions).
'safe' cut in half is 'fe'.
'fe'+'es'='FEES'
'can' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for fees that I've seen before include "Emoluments" , "Fixed charges for professional services" , "Professional payments" , "Lawyers' charges" , "Charges, payments" .)