Manage to catch a loose end (4)
I believe the answer is:
cope
'manage' is the definition.
(manage can mean to cope or do well)
'catch a loose end' is the wordplay.
'catch' becomes 'cop' (cop can mean to arrest or apprehend).
'end' indicates one should take the final letters.
The last letter of 'loose' is 'e'.
'cop'+'e'='COPE'
'to' is the link.
(Other definitions for cope that I've seen before include "Manage to deal with the vestment" , "Long cloak for a priest" , "Priest's cloak; deal (with)" , "Manage - poet, first name 18" , "Deal well with difficulties" .)