Many thanks Suki! and emf too, though the letters are now _ H E W, so flew won't fit. I'm wondering if it could be WHEW but can't fit it to the definition.
Thanks Maisie and emf. As for breaking down the first clue, we are only given that it is 11 letters and 3 words, though I'm guessing it might be 2 5 4.
Not sure about that though.