This will give you a start or get you fired? (8)
I believe the answer is:
ignition
'this will give you a start or get you fired?' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't see how they can define each other.
This is all the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for ignition that I've seen before include "Mechanism to start car engine by sparking fuel" , "Beginning of combustion" , "The starting of car engine" , "Act of lighting burner" , "The purpose of the spark" .)