No hardliners turning up for a difficult situation (4)
I believe the answer is:
stew
'for a difficult situation' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for stew that I've seen before include "Slow-cooked meat dish; state of agitation" , "Simmer" , "Dish of meat and vegetables cooked slowly in liquid" , "fish tank" , "remain anxious" .)