Pole always cut off (5)
I believe the answer is:
sever
'cut off' is the definition.
(to sever is to cut)
'pole always' is the wordplay.
'pole' becomes 's' (abbreviation for South, as in South Pole).
'always' becomes 'ever' (synonyms).
's'+'ever'='SEVER'
(Other definitions for sever that I've seen before include "Disconnect" , "Verse (anag)" , "Divide by cutting" , "split" , "Cut or break off, perhaps a relationship" .)