Don’t forget the mammal in care (4,2,4)
I believe the answer is:
bear in mind
'don't forget' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.
'mammal in care' is the wordplay.
'mammal' becomes 'bear' (bear is a kind of mammal).
'care' becomes 'mind' (I've seen this in another clue).
'bear'+'in'+'mind'='BEAR IN MIND'
'the' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for bear in mind that I've seen before include "Remember and take into account" , "Consider" , "what big game hunter may have" , "Take into consideration" .)