Struggling to get rid of final first (4,5)
I believe the answer is:
last ditch
'struggling to' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.
'get rid of final first' is the wordplay.
'get rid of' becomes 'ditch' (I've seen this in another clue).
'final' becomes 'last' (synonyms).
'first' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'ditch' after 'last' is 'LAST-DITCH'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for last ditch that I've seen before include "desperate attempt" , "Where to make final stand" , "final defensive position" , "Final, desperate" , "ultimately desperate" .)