The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word ENMESHED
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
E
N
M
E
S
H
E
D
More clues leading to the result ENMESHED
- Crosophile caught in small space with this woman – leader of dogs snarled
- Coming in last, after me, she gets caught
- In final stage Nutmegcaught up
- Setterin fine unable to escape?
- Engaged, that’s the outcome about me and that girl
- Topless enclosure for pigs and one for cows have me trapped
- Caught hem needs repair
- Tangled space used by this writer’s cast
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "unable to escape" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case unable to escape = enmeshed.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does ENMESHED mean?
ENMESHED verb- To mesh; to tangle or interweave in such a manner as not to be easily separated, particularly in a mesh or net like manner.
- To involve in such complications as to render extrication difficult
- To involve in difficulties.
- Tangled or twisted together.