Smug types to get to grips with (5)
I believe the answer is:
prigs
'smug types' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both people as well as being plural nouns.
Perhaps you can see a link between them that I don't see?
'get to grips with' is the wordplay.
'grips' can be anagrammed to 'PRIGS'.
Though, I'm not clear how this is indicated.
'to' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for prigs that I've seen before include "Grips for stuffy people" , "Snooty" , "Grips like self-righteous people" .)