Thugs get sign of affection (3)
I believe the answer is:
hug
'sign of affection' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both to do with contact as well as being verbs in their base form.
Perhaps you can see a link between them that I don't see?
'thugs get' is the wordplay.
'get' says the answer is hidden in the clue (I've seen 'got' mean this).
'HUG' can be found hidden inside 'thugs'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for hug that I've seen before include "Embrace closely" , "Embrace (like a bear?)" , "Tight embrace" , "Bear-like embrace?" , "Clasp" .)