Play card with real finesse (4,4)
I believe the answer is:
king lear
'play' is the definition.
(Shakespeare play)
'card with real finesse' is the wordplay.
'card' becomes 'king' (type of playing card).
'with' says to put letters next to each other.
'finesse' indicates anagramming the letters (letters finessed into a new form).
'real' anagrammed gives 'lear'.
'king'+'lear'='KING LEAR'
(Other definitions for king lear that I've seen before include "Shakespeare play with storm scene" , "Shakespeare's foolish, fond old man" , "Play set in medieval Britain" , "Part of ruler" , "Shakespearian royal tragedy" .)