Appeal quietly for a helpful hint (5)
I believe the answer is:
plead
'appeal' is the definition.
(pleading is a kind of appealing)
'quietly for a helpful hint' is the wordplay.
'quietly' becomes 'p' (p for piano and quiet).
'for' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'a helpful hint' becomes 'lead' (synonyms. I am not sure about the 'helpful' bit.).
'p'+'lead'='PLEAD'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for plead that I've seen before include "Make an emotional appeal" , "Supplicate" , "Claim; entreat" , "Present an argument in court" , "Sue" .)