I get food, gratis, coming in for nothing - it’s a delicate arrangement (8)
I believe the answer is:
filigree
'a delicate arrangement' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't understand how they can define each other.
'i get food gratis coming in for nothing' is the wordplay.
'get food gratis' becomes 'lig' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'coming in' is an insertion indicator.
'for nothing' becomes 'free' (I've seen this in another clue).
'i'+'lig'='ilig'
'ilig' going within 'free' is 'FILIGREE'.
'it's' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for filigree that I've seen before include "Ornamental lace-like work in metal" , "Ornamental work of fine wires" , "Ornamental wirework" , "Delicate ornamentation" , "decorative work" .)