Gossip about problem before bit of a kip (8)
I believe the answer is:
chitchat
'gossip' is the definition.
(I know that gossip can be written as chitchat)
'about problem before bit of a kip' is the wordplay.
'about' becomes 'c' (circa).
'problem before' becomes 'hitch' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'bit of a kip' becomes 'at' ('at' is part of 'kip').
'c'+'hitch'+'at'='CHITCHAT'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for chitchat that I've seen before include "Light social conversation" , "Gossipy talk" , "rabbit" , "Trivial conversation" , "Informal talk" .)