Listening device left in: note something sticking out (5)
I believe the answer is:
bulge
'something sticking out' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.
'listening device left in note' is the wordplay.
'listening device' becomes 'bug' (I've seen this in another clue).
'left' becomes 'l' (common abbreviation).
'in' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'note' becomes 'e' (musical note).
'bug' going around 'l' is 'bulg'.
'bulg'+'e'='BULGE'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for bulge that I've seen before include "Protuberance or outward swelling" , "Protrusion" , "Rounded swelling" , "surge?" , "Protrude" .)