Novice left a lucrative dodge (7)
I believe the answer is:
learner
'novice' is the definition.
(I know that learner is a type of novice)
'left a lucrative dodge' is the wordplay.
'left' becomes 'l' (common abbreviation).
'a lucrative dodge' becomes 'earner' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'l'+'earner'='LEARNER'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for learner that I've seen before include "New driver" , "Someone undergoing education" , "Pupil, novice" , "Student (of driving?)" , "One being taught" .)