Lay off about the ditch (8)
I believe the answer is:
retrench
'lay off' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are verbs in their base form, I cannot understand how one could define the other.
'about the ditch' is the wordplay.
'about' becomes 're' ('re' means regarding or about).
'the ditch' becomes 'trench' (trench is a kind of ditch).
're'+'trench'='RETRENCH'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for retrench that I've seen before include "Reduce spending in response to economic difficulty" , "Curtail" , "Bring down" , "Economise, cut back" , "Cut back spending" .)