Coins put into it may be lost (4)
I believe the answer is:
slot
'coins put' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both acts as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps there's an association between them I don't understand?
'it may be lost' is the wordplay.
'it may be' indicates an anagram (I've seen this in other clues).
'lost' with letters rearranged gives 'SLOT'.
'into' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for slot that I've seen before include "Opening for coin or TV programme" , "Scheduled time - hierarchical position" , "Scheduled time -- aperture for coins" , "This gaming machine operates by insertion of coin" , "Narrow opening as in gaming machine" .)