Cut time at work for Spooner to take stock (8)
I believe the answer is:
shoplift
'cut time' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are verbs in their base form, I can't see how one could define the other.
'work for spooner to take stock' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'work' could be 'shop' (shop is a kind of work) and 'shop' is located in the answer.
'take' could be 'lift' (lifting is a kind of taking) and 'lift' is present in the answer.
No letters remain.
This explanation may well be incorrect...
'at' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for shoplift that I've seen before include "Appropriate" , "Knock off" , "Swipe" , "Steal from retail outlet" , "Abstract" .)