Work west and north to get towards the south (4)
I believe the answer is:
down
'towards the south' is the definition.
(synonyms)
'work west and north' is the wordplay.
'work' becomes 'do' (synonyms).
'west' becomes 'W' (abbreviation).
'and' says to put letters next to each other.
'north' becomes 'N' (abbreviation).
'do'+'w'+'n'='DOWN'
'to get' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for down that I've seen before include "Pillow filler - dejected" , "Dispirited" , "In a low mood; hill" , "when in adversity" , "Consume (drink), sad" .)