Male cat has caught rat, perhaps (5)
I believe the answer is:
cheat
'rat perhaps' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'male cat has caught' is the wordplay.
'male' becomes 'he' (he refers to a man).
'has caught' indicates putting letters inside.
'he' going within 'cat' is 'CHEAT'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for cheat that I've seen before include "Dishonest person" , "Play dishonestly" , "Hoodwink" , "Act dishonestly to gain an advantage" , "Rogue" .)