Lift in late eve malfunctioning (7)
I believe the answer is:
elevate
'lift' is the definition.
(to elevate is to lift up)
'late eve malfunctioning' is the wordplay.
'malfunctioning' is an anagram indicator.
'late'+'eve'='lateeve'
'lateeve' is an anagram of 'ELEVATE'.
'in' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for elevate that I've seen before include "Lift - exalt - promote - cheer" , "Raise or lift" , "'Raise, upgrade (7)'" , "Improve morally" , "Raise to a higher position" .)