Vicar takes bucket outside to come out on top (7)
I believe the answer is:
prevail
'come out on top' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'vicar takes bucket outside' is the wordplay.
'vicar' becomes 'rev' (short for reverend).
'takes' means one lot of letters goes inside another (take can mean to capture or invade).
'bucket outside' becomes 'pail' (synonyms. I am not sure about the 'outside' bit.).
'rev' going within 'pail' is 'PREVAIL'.
'to' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for prevail that I've seen before include "get the upper hand" , "come out on top" , "Triumph, overcome" , "Get one's way" , "Be victorious" .)