Hard up but bound to get paid? (8,3,4)
'hard up' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'bound to get paid?' is the wordplay.
'bound' becomes 'strapped' (strapping is a kind of binding).
'to get paid?' becomes 'for cash' (you do something for cash to get paid).
'strapped'+'forcash'='STRAPPED FOR CASH'
'but' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for strapped for cash that I've seen before include "not rolling in it" , "Bust" , "needing money" , "as an S & M prostitute?" , "very short of money?" .)
'hard up' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'bound to get paid?' is the wordplay.
'bound' suggests removing the centre (I've seen 'bounds of' mean this (the letters which form the boundaries of the word)).
'to' becomes 'shut' (I've seen this before).
'get paid?' becomes 'rapped' (I can't explain this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'shut' with its centre taken out is 'st'.
'st'+'rapped'='STRAPPED'
'but' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for strapped that I've seen before include "affected by shortage" , "Secured; short of money" , "Like one who may need a loan" , "Needy - secured" , "Without, or very short of, money" .)