At the end of the year, half-cut client was quite improper (8)
I believe the answer is:
indecent
'quite improper' is the definition.
'indecent' can be an answer for 'improper' (associated in meaning). I am not certain of the 'quite' bit.
'at the end of the year half-cut client' is the wordplay.
'at' says to put letters next to each other.
'the end of the year' becomes 'inDec' (in December).
'half cut' suggests halving the letters.
'client' cut in half is 'ent'.
'indec'+'ent' is 'INDECENT'.
'was' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for indecent that I've seen before include "Immodest, gross" , "Indecorous" , "Gross, obscene" , "not appropriate" , "Offending against modesty, obscene" .)