Request directions, being awry (5)
I believe the answer is:
askew
'being awry' is the definition.
('askew' can be a synonym of 'awry')
'request directions' is the wordplay.
'request' becomes 'ask' (synonyms).
'directions' becomes 'ew' (abbreviations for east and west).
'ask'+'ew'='ASKEW'
(Other definitions for askew that I've seen before include "Lopsided" , "Out of line" , "Not straight or level, crooked" , "Wakes (anag)" , "Obliquely" .)