Crossword Genius

In South America, can get some beast (a slob?) in a tangle (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

bolas

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'in south america can' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.

'some beast a slob? in a tangle' is the wordplay.
'some' means to look at the middle letters.
'in a tangle' indicates an anagram.
The centre of 'beast' is 'a'.
'a'+'slob'='aslob'
'aslob' is an anagram of 'BOLAS'.

'get' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for bolas that I've seen is " What a gaucho may have".)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app