Cheats admit offence (5,2)
I believe the answer is:
takes in
'cheats' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both to do with social activities as well as being verbs in their -s form.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'admit offence' is the wordplay.
'admit' becomes 'take' (synonyms).
'offence' becomes 'sin' (a sin is an offence or transgression).
'take'+'sin'='TAKES IN'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for takes in that I've seen before include "Receives" , "Puts up" , "deceives" , "covers" , "kids" .)