Spread out and work two ways (4)
I believe the answer is:
open
'spread out' is the definition.
(synonyms)
'work two ways' is the wordplay.
'two ways' can mean two substitutions for 'way'.
'work' becomes 'op' (abbreviation for opus).
'way' becomes 'e' (Compass direction - East).
'way' becomes 'n' (Compass direction - North).
'op'+'e'+'n'='OPEN'
'and' is the link.
(Other definitions for open that I've seen before include "Not yet decided - to start" , "Candid and undisguised" , "Candid or unlocked" , "Overt" , "unresolved" .)