Bear not working in deadlock (5-3)
I believe the answer is:
stand-off
'deadlock' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'bear not working' is the wordplay.
'bear' becomes 'stand' (bear can mean to stand or endure).
'not working' becomes 'off' (switched off).
'stand'+'off'='STAND-OFF'
'in' is the link.
(Other definitions for stand-off that I've seen before include "Rugby halfback" , "Deadlock between equal opponents" , "Deadlock between equally matched opponents" , "Deadlock between two matched opponents" , "Rugby player - deadlock - keep at a distance" .)