Slow cadet managed to get into a nervous state (4,5)
I believe the answer is:
cold sweat
'a nervous state' is the definition.
'cold sweat' can be an answer for 'state' (cold sweat is a kind of state). I am not sure about the 'a nervous' bit.
'slow cadet managed' is the wordplay.
'managed' indicates an anagram.
'slow'+'cadet'='slowcadet'
'slowcadet' anagrammed gives 'COLD SWEAT'.
'to get into' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for cold sweat that I've seen before include "Symptom of nervousness or illness" , "Chilled perspiration" , "Symptom of fear" , "sign of fear" , "Chilly perspiration brought on by fear" .)