Spoiled scene trading insults (8)
I believe the answer is:
offences
'trading insults' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both acts as well as being plural nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'spoiled scene' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
an anagram of 'scene' is 'ences' which is located in the answer.
The remaining letters 'off' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This explanation may well be incorrect...
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for offences that I've seen before include "Trespasses" , "Crimes" , "Misdemeanours" , "Illegal acts, breaking of laws" , "Breaches of the law" .)