Things a swordsman might do creating lively atmosphere? (3,3,6)
I believe the answer is:
cut and thrust
'lively atmosphere?' is the definition.
(cut-and-thrust describes a lively environment)
'things a swordsman might do' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'a' could be 'an' and 'an' is present in the answer.
'do' could be 'ut' (synonyms) and 'ut' is found in the answer.
This may be the basis of clue (or it may be nonsense).
'creating' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for cut and thrust that I've seen before include "aggressive competition" , "Spirited exchange of opinions in debate" , "Lively exchanges" , "Lively and competitive environment" .)