Mischievous imp in literal phraseology (5)
I believe the answer is:
ralph
'mischievous imp' is the definition.
(printers' term for an imp causing mistakes)
'in literal phraseology' is the wordplay.
'in' says the answer is hidden in the clue.
'RALPH' is hidden in the letters of 'literal phraseology'.
(Other definitions for ralph that I've seen before include "Fellow's name" , "- Vaughan Williams, English composer" , "Piggy's friend (Lord of the Flies); --- Vaughan Williams" , "Boy's name" , "Man's name" .)