Polish up a Cherubini piece (3)
I believe the answer is:
rub
'polish' is the definition.
(polish meaning rub to make shiny)
'up a cherubini piece' is the wordplay.
'piece' says the answer is hidden in the clue.
'RUB' can be found hidden inside 'up cherubini'.
(Other definitions for rub that I've seen before include "Abrade" , "Central difficulty" , "Ointment; copy (a brass)" , "Massage or burnish" , "trouble" .)