During meal I bite an excuse (5)
I believe the answer is:
alibi
'an excuse' is the definition.
(excuse given by a suspect in an investigation)
'during meal i bite' is the wordplay.
'during' indicates the answer is hidden within the clue.
'ALIBI' is hidden in the letters of 'meal i bite'.
(Other definitions for alibi that I've seen before include "Evidence one was elsewhere at time of crime" , "Proof of not being at crime site" , "Proof one was elsewhere when crime was committed" , "Courtroom evidence" , "Defence against accusation - was seen elsewhere at the time" .)