Some cut off from this outfit for pool competition (8,7)
I believe the answer is:
swimming costume
'some cut off from this outfit for pool competition' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'outfit for pool competition' is the wordplay.
'outfit' becomes 'costume' (I've seen this before).
'for' says to put letters next to each other (I've seen this in other clues).
'pool competition' becomes 'swimming' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'costume' after 'swimming' is 'SWIMMING-COSTUME'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for swimming costume that I've seen before include "going on in baths?" , "Item of beachwear" , "skimpy garment" , "bathers" .)