Wasted, get shut up following troubles (3-5)
I believe the answer is:
ill-spent
'wasted' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'shut up following troubles' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'troubles' could be 'ills' ('ill' can be a synonym of 'trouble') and 'ills' is found in the answer.
'shut up' could be 'pent' (synonyms) and 'pent' is found within the answer.
This accounts for all the letters.
This explanation may well be incorrect...
'get' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution?
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