Persist: what scrap metal dealer did around Spain? (7,2)
I believe the answer is:
soldier on
'persist' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'scrap metal dealer did around spain?' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'metal' could be 'er' (Er is an example) and 'er' is found within the answer.
'around' could be 'o' (a round letter) and 'o' is present in the answer.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).
'what' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for soldier on that I've seen before include "keep going" , "Keep struggling" , "Doggedly continue" , "... to bear up" , "Don't give up" .)