Pardon sailor to work things out (7)
I believe the answer is:
absolve
'pardon' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'sailor to work things out' is the wordplay.
'sailor' becomes 'ab' (abbreviation for able seaman).
'to work things out' becomes 'solve' (eg working a puzzle out).
'ab'+'solve'='ABSOLVE'
(Other definitions for absolve that I've seen before include "Discharge" , "Declare to be free from blame" , "Clear of blame or quilt" , "Give pardon" , "Excuse" .)