In confusion as to how some tax avoidance schemes operate? (2,1,4)
I believe the answer is:
at a loss
'in' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are adjectives. Maybe you can see a link between them that I don't see?
I can't explain the rest of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for at a loss that I've seen before include "(Running) in deficit" , "Totally bewildered" , "how incompetent companies can operate" , "makes one puzzled" , "Puzzled and indecisive? No profit in it" .)