Late start - expect to loiter with intent (3,2,4)
I believe the answer is:
lie in wait
'late start' is the definition.
I know nothing about this answer so I cannot tell whether it can be defined by this definition.
'expect to loiter with intent' is the wordplay.
'expect' becomes 'wait' (synonyms).
'to' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other) (I've seen this in other clues).
'loiter with intent' becomes 'liein' (I can't justify this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'wait' put after 'liein' is 'LIE IN WAIT'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for lie in wait that I've seen before include "Hope to catch" , "Set an ambush" , "Plan for ambush" , "Be ready to surprise" , "Plan to attack" .)