Spoil clothes for the open air by overuse? (7)
I believe the answer is:
outwear
'air by overuse?' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are verbs in their base form, I don't understand how one could define the other.
'spoil clothes for the open' is the wordplay.
'spoil clothes' becomes 'wear' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'for' means one lot of letters go next to another (I've seen this in other clues).
'the open' becomes 'out' (I've seen this in other clues).
'wear' after 'out' is 'OUTWEAR'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for outwear that I've seen before include "Drain" , "Exhaust" , "ride" , "may last longer" , "Top dressing" .)