Provided gutted fish in error - don't know what happens next (11)
I believe the answer is:
cliffhanger
'gutted fish in error don't know what happens next' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.
'provided' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'provided' could be 'if' (eg 'provided it's sunny' means 'if it's sunny') and 'if' is found in the answer.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for cliffhanger that I've seen before include "tense ending to episode" , "Dramatic ending" , "Contest with the outcome in doubt right to the end" , "where one's not quite losing face?" , "Exciting novel or film" .)