Invariably shown the way out, when forced (7)
I believe the answer is:
levered
'forced' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both to do with contact as well as being past participle verbs.
Maybe there's an association between them I don't understand?
'invariably shown the way out' is the wordplay.
'invariably' becomes 'ever' (I've seen this in another clue).
'shown the way' becomes 'led' (I've seen this before).
'out' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'ever' going within 'led' is 'LEVERED'.
'when' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Another definition for levered that I've seen is " Prised".)