Study battle when it's clear of course (8)
I believe the answer is:
consomme
'course' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'study battle' is the wordplay.
'study' becomes 'con' (con can informally mean to study).
'battle' becomes 'Somme' (Somme is an example).
'con'+'somme'='CONSOMME'
'when it's clear of' acts as a link.
I am not very happy about this link. Some or all of it may be part of another bit of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for consomme that I've seen before include "Clear initial course" , "starter course" , "Thin, clear soup" , "Liquid food" , "Clear soup usually of beef, veal or chicken" .)