Rats, for example, really dislike being skinned (4)
I believe the answer is:
oath
'rats for' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.
'example really dislike being skinned' is the wordplay.
'example really' becomes 'oat' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'dislike' becomes 'abhor' (I've seen this in another clue).
'being skinned' means to look at the middle letters.
The middle of 'abhor' is 'h'.
'oat'+'h'='OATH'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for oath that I've seen before include "Commitment to tell the truth" , "'Profane, or solemn expression (4)'" , "Sworn promise" , "bad language" , "Solemn promise to tell the truth or be loyal" .)