Small men in urgent straits (5)

I believe the answer is:

gents

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'small men' is the definition.
'gents' can be an answer for 'men' (gent is a kind of man). I'm unsure of the 'small' bit.

'in urgent straits' is the wordplay.
'in' indicates the answer is hidden within the clue.
'GENTS' is hidden within 'urgent straits'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for gents that I've seen before include "Public convenience" , "Male loos" , "toilet" , "Men (colloq.)" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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