Start to speak, leaving opponent nowhere to stand? (4,3,5)
I believe the answer is:
take the floor
'start' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both to do with motion as well as being verbs in their base form.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'speak leaving opponent nowhere to stand?' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'stand?' could be 'take' (taking is a kind of standing) and 'take' is located in the answer.
This explanation may well be incorrect...
'to' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for take the floor that I've seen before include "Rise to speak" , "Rise to address a meeting" , "Start to dance" , "Rise in order to make a speech or motion" , "Stand up to dance or to make a speech" .)