Criminal takes nip in place of vicious competition (8)

I believe the answer is:

snakepit

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'place of vicious competition' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.

'criminal takes nip' is the wordplay.
'criminal' indicates an anagram.
'takes'+'nip'='takesnip'
'takesnip' with letters rearranged gives 'SNAKEPIT'.

'in' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.

Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app