Parse Please

[Bozzer]

Fail to go straight out of town ultimately; defer.

REOFFEND

if that is correct, why?

[klazomaniac]

Anagram of (of [tow]n defer

out is the anag indicator

[klazomaniac]

Fail to go straight = Reoffend
Out = Anagram indicator
Of = Of
Town [ultimately] = N (Last letter of town)
Defer = Defer
Anagram fodder = Of + N + Defer

[Bozzer]

Thanks. This setter’s mental contortions were alarming. 8 down wouldn’t be easy to explain to a class of foreign students trying to learn English

[klazomaniac]

Lol Bozzer. Some setters are just like that :-)