Little bit hot in gerbil cages (5)

I believe the answer is:

tinge

'little bit' is the definition.
(a tinge is a little bit)

'hot in gerbil cages' is the wordplay.
'cages' indicates the answer is hidden within the clue (the answer is caged or held).
'TINGE' can be found hidden inside 'hot in gerbil'.

(Other definitions for tinge that I've seen before include "Slight but perceptible amount" , "show a bit of colour ?" , "Hint; shade" , "Slight trace; colour" , "Slight colouring" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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