Find fault with exercises: not drinking "just in case” a big mistake? (8)
I believe the answer is:
pettifog
'find fault' is the definition.
(thesaurus)
'exercises not drinking just in case a big mistake?' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'exercises' could be 'pe' (Physical Education class) and 'pe' is located in the answer.
'not' could be 'o' (I've seen this in other clues) and 'o' is located in the answer.
'in case' could be 'if' (if means in a particular case) and 'if' is found in the answer.
This explanation may well be incorrect...
'with' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for pettifog that I've seen before include "Raise absurd objection" , "trifle" , "Quibble as lawyers" .)