Speak ill, or speak grandiloquently, about a pal (8)
I believe the answer is:
ballyrag
'speak ill' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.
'speak grandiloquently about a pal' is the wordplay.
'speak grandiloquently' becomes 'brag' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'about' indicates putting letters inside.
'a pal' becomes 'ally' (both can mean a friend or supporter).
'brag' placed around 'ally' is 'BALLYRAG'.
'or' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for ballyrag that I've seen before include "Browbeat, hector" , "Browbeat, boss around" , "Intimidate" .)