Reason to check out contradictory directions (5)
I believe the answer is:
sense
'reason' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'check out contradictory directions' is the wordplay.
'check' becomes 'see' (synonyms).
'out' indicates putting letters inside.
'contradictory directions' becomes 'ns' (N is an example. I am not sure about the 'contradictory' bit.).
'see' placed around 'ns' is 'SENSE'.
'to' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for sense that I've seen before include "Nous" , "may be common" , "Smell, say" , "Meaning; perception" , "Perceive, detect" .)