Couldn’t stand trial when action was taken about (8)
I believe the answer is:
detested
'couldn't stand' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'trial when action was taken about' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'trial' could be 'test' ('test' can be a synonym of 'trial') and 'test' is found in the answer.
'when' could be 'e' (I've seen this in other clues) and 'e' is found within the answer.
This explanation may well be incorrect...
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for detested that I've seen before include "Despised" , "Abhorred" , "Cordially loathed" , "not at all popular" , "Loathed over test deed" .)