Expert to make a quip (5)
I believe the answer is:
crack
I believe this clue is a double definition.
'expert' is the first definition.
(as in 'a crack team')
'a quip' is the second definition.
('crack' can be a synonym of 'quip')
'to make' is the link.
(Other definitions for crack that I've seen before include "Thin fissure or slangy joke" , "bang" , "Break; gap" , "Opening; sharp blow" , "find solution" .)