Sponge, gutted darter and octopus? (7)
I believe the answer is:
drinker
'sponge' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps there's a link between them I don't understand?
'gutted darter and octopus?' is the wordplay.
'gutted' suggests removing the centre (to gut something is to remove its insides).
'and' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'octopus?' becomes 'inker' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'darter' with its middle removed is 'dr'.
'dr'+'inker'='DRINKER'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for drinker that I've seen before include "Tippler" , "Inebriate" , "Consumer of liquid, probably alcohol" , "Imbiber, toper" .)