Six-footer not about to be small figure? (5)
I believe the answer is:
inset
'small figure?' is the definition.
'inset' can be an answer for 'figure?' (I have seen 'Minor figure' mean 'inset' so perhaps 'figure' could also mean 'inset'). I'm unsure of the 'small' bit.
'six-footer not about' is the wordplay.
'six-footer' becomes 'insect' (I've seen this before).
'not' indicates named letters should be taken away.
'about' becomes 'c' (abbreviation for 'circa').
'insect' with 'c' taken away is 'INSET'.
'to be' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for inset that I've seen before include "Small diagram inside another" , "Place within" , "Placed inside" , "Training during term time for teachers in state schools" , "Something placed into another using tines" .)