Puts the phonetic pronunciation of "idle" (4)
I believe the answer is:
lays
'puts' is the definition.
('lay' can be a synonym of 'put')
I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for lays that I've seen before include "Sets down the old songs" , "How Pertelote produces" , "Places (bets?)" , "literary works?" , "Produces eggs" .)