Planning to escort partners inside (7)
I believe the answer is:
brewing
'planning' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both to do with creating things as well as being present participle verbs.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'escort partners inside' is the wordplay.
'escort' becomes 'bring' (I've seen this before).
'partners' becomes 'ew' (East and West are partners in the game bridge).
'inside' is an insertion indicator.
'bring' enclosing 'ew' is 'BREWING'.
'to' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for brewing that I've seen before include "drink in one go" , "Making tea" , "Making beer" .)