Late defeat for layabout (8)
I believe the answer is:
deadbeat
'layabout' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe there's a link between them I don't understand?
'late defeat' is the wordplay.
'late' becomes 'dead' (similar in meaning).
'defeat' becomes 'beat' (beating is a kind of defeating).
'dead'+'beat'='DEADBEAT'
'for' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for deadbeat that I've seen before include "Bum" , "Disreputable person" , "idler" , "idle so-and-so" , "lazy fellow" .)