Tools to get hold of instead of spades (5)
I believe the answer is:
vices
'tools' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both acts as well as being plural nouns.
Maybe there's an association between them I don't understand?
'hold of instead of spades' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'spades' could be 's' (abbreviation in card games) and 's' is located in the answer.
The remaining letters 'vice' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).
'to get' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for vices that I've seen before include "Shortcomings" , "Moral weaknesses and holding devices" , "Sins or depravities" , "Moral faults or bad habits" .)