Mother for example knows main way out (9)
I believe the answer is:
kinswoman
'mother for example' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'knows main way out' is the wordplay.
'way out' indicates an anagram.
'knows'+'main'='knowsmain'
'knowsmain' is an anagram of 'KINSWOMAN'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for kinswoman that I've seen before include "Female family member" , "one of the family!" , "Relation" , "Female relative" .)