Partner, bony, fired unexpectedly (9)
I believe the answer is:
boyfriend
'partner' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'bony fired unexpectedly' is the wordplay.
'unexpectedly' is an anagram indicator.
'bony'+'fired'='bonyfired'
'bonyfired' is an anagram of 'BOYFRIEND'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for boyfriend that I've seen before include "woman may hope to become union member" , "subject of musical" , "Close relationship with him" , "Close associate" , "Beloved" .)