Short cutting remark in pub (3)
I believe the answer is:
bar
'pub' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'short cutting remark' is the wordplay.
'short' means to remove the last letter.
'cutting remark' becomes 'barb' (I've seen this before).
'barb' with its last letter removed is 'BAR'.
'in' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for bar that I've seen before include "Obstruct" , "sovereign" , "measure of pressure" , "A pub counter or iron rod" , "Obstacle" .)