Need some grip over tyrant (7)
I believe the answer is:
poverty
'need' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'some grip over tyrant' is the wordplay.
'some' says the answer is hidden in the clue (some of the parts of the word are used).
'POVERTY' is hidden in the letters of 'grip over tyrant'.
(Other definitions for poverty that I've seen before include "Penury" , "Indigence" , "Poor state" , "'When ....... comes in at the door, love flies out of the window'" , "Need" .)