Try to stave in, foolishly, but it's ridiculous (8)
I believe the answer is:
travesty
'foolishly but it's ridiculous' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.
'try to stave in' is the wordplay.
'to stave' becomes 'avest' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'in' indicates putting letters inside.
'try' going around 'avest' is 'TRAVESTY'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for travesty that I've seen before include "Burlesque, mockery" , "Charade" , "Absurd misrepresentation" , "Total misrepresentation" , "Grossly unfair representation" .)