It's out in a tricky spot (9)
I believe the answer is:
situation
'spot' is the definition.
('situation' can be a synonym of 'spot')
'it's out in a tricky' is the wordplay.
'tricky' indicates an anagram.
'its'+'out'+'in'+'a'='itsoutina'
'itsoutina' anagrammed gives 'SITUATION'.
(Other definitions for situation that I've seen before include "hole" , "Position" , "Place" , "The general state of things" , "Placement" .)