What was successfully found in a bit of a mess! (4)
I believe the answer is:
fame
'what was successfully found' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.
'a bit of a mess' is the wordplay.
'a bit' says the answer is hidden in the clue (I've seen 'bit of' mean this).
'FAME' can be found hidden inside 'of a mess'.
'in' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for fame that I've seen before include "Musical - stardom" , "Prominence" , "''... is the spur that the clear spirit doth raise (Lycidas, John Milton)" , "Repute" , "Celebrity; stage musical" .)