Left trapped in relationships for years in early adulthood (8)
I believe the answer is:
twenties
'years in early adulthood' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are plural nouns, I can't see how they can define each other.
'left trapped in relationships' is the wordplay.
'left' becomes 'went' (I've seen this before).
'trapped in' indicates putting letters inside.
'relationships' becomes 'ties' (tie is a kind of relationship).
'went' placed into 'ties' is 'TWENTIES'.
'for' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for twenties that I've seen before include "period of years" , "Scores" , "They were roaring in the last century" , "decade of frivolity" , "First adult years" .)