Mariners might leave this tense after fighting snake (6,4)
I believe the answer is:
rowing boat
'mariners might' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I can't understand how they can define each other.
'this tense after fighting snake' is the wordplay.
'this tense' becomes 't' (abbreviation used in many dictionaries).
'after' says to put letters next to each other.
'fighting' becomes 'rowing' (to row is to argue).
'snake' becomes 'boa' (boa constrictor, type of snake).
'rowing'+'boa'='rowingboa'
't' put after 'rowingboa' is 'ROWING-BOAT'.
'leave' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for rowing boat that I've seen before include "Maybe eight" , "Small vessel propelled by oars" .)