Give a hand and dig a pit for rhubarb (8)
I believe the answer is:
claptrap
'rhubarb' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I can't understand how one could define the other.
'give a hand and dig a pit' is the wordplay.
'give a hand' becomes 'clap' (as in giving applause).
'and' says to put letters next to each other.
'dig a pit' becomes 'trap' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'clap'+'trap'='CLAPTRAP'
'for' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for claptrap that I've seen before include "Bunk" , "Stuff and nonsense" , "Absurd or nonsensical talk or ideas" , "Foolish or pretentious talk" , "Empty words" .)