Female in a firm situation (13)

I believe the answer is:

businesswoman

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'female' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe there's an association between them I don't understand?

'a firm situation' is the wordplay.
'a firm' becomes 'business' (synonyms).
'situation' becomes 'woman' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'business'+'woman'='BUSINESSWOMAN'

'in' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

I've seen this clue in The Irish Independent.

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