In retrospect, some Nordic narcissists are on the nose (6)
I believe the answer is:
rancid
'on the nose' is the definition.
Both the answer and definition are adjectives. Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'in retrospect some nordic narcissists' is the wordplay.
'in retrospect' says the letters should be written backwards.
'some' indicates the answer is hidden within the clue (some of the parts of the word are used).
'dicnar' is hidden within 'nordic narcissists'.
'dicnar' written backwards gives 'RANCID'.
'are' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for rancid that I've seen before include "Fetid" , "Putrid" , "Foul-tasting" , "Stale, rank" , "(Of fats) stale" .)