Represent chaps holding answer (4)
I believe the answer is:
mean
'represent' is the definition.
(both can mean to signify)
'chaps holding answer' is the wordplay.
'chaps' becomes 'men' (chap means a man).
'holding' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'answer' becomes 'a' (abbreviation eg in Q and A).
'men' enclosing 'a' is 'MEAN'.
(Other definitions for mean that I've seen before include "design" , "purpose" , "Norm" , "middle course" , "Intend; stingy" .)