Remains loyal but fails to take action when needed (6,2)
I believe the answer is:
stands by
'remains' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both to do with fundamental existence as well as being verbs in their -s form.
Perhaps there's a link between them I don't understand?
'loyal but fails to take action when needed' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'action' could be 'stand' (stand is a kind of action) and 'stand' is located in the answer.
This explanation may well be incorrect...
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for stands by that I've seen before include "Is available" , "Is supportive" , "Holds oneself in readiness" , "fails to intervene" , "Is ready" .)