Note small hint for free (6)
I believe the answer is:
rescue
'free' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'note small hint' is the wordplay.
'note' becomes 're' (as in do-re-mi).
'small' becomes 's' (abbreviation - e.g. clothes size).
'hint' becomes 'cue' (cue can mean a hint or prompt).
're'+'s'+'cue'='RESCUE'
'for' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for rescue that I've seen before include "Save - deliver" , "Get over, on top of" , "Deliver from harm" , "Help out of difficulty, save" , "liberation" .)