Eat, we hear, for a laugh (2,4)
I believe the answer is:
in jest
'eat we hear' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.
'a laugh' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'laugh' could be 'jest' (synonyms) and 'jest' is located in the answer.
The remaining letters 'in' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).
'for' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for in jest that I've seen before include "Not seriously" , "Jokingly" , "Jocularly" , "''Many a true word is spoken .. ....''" .)