In the trial I bid to have a let-out (5)
I believe the answer is:
alibi
'out' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'in the trial i bid to have' is the wordplay.
'to have' indicates the answer is hidden within the clue.
'ALIBI' can be found hidden inside 'in trial i bid'.
'a let' is the link.
I am not very happy about this link. Some or all of it may belong to another bit of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for alibi that I've seen before include "Lawyer's weapon, Latin for 'elsewhere'" , "Defence against charge - was seen elsewhere" , "Legal defence - was elsewhere" , "Court evidence showing one was elsewhere" , "Courtroom evidence" .)