Hardy character admits funny thing in intoxication (9)
I believe the answer is:
tightness
'intoxication' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both states of affairs as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe you can see a link between them that I can't see?
'hardy character admits funny thing' is the wordplay.
'hardy character' becomes 'tess' (I've seen this in another clue).
'admits' indicates putting letters inside.
'funny' indicates anagramming the letters.
'thing' anagrammed gives 'ightn'.
'tess' enclosing 'ightn' is 'TIGHTNESS'.
'in' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for tightness that I've seen before include "inebriation" , "tension" , "Mild insobriety" , "Being mean" , "Tense quality" .)