Spin back small amounts (4)
I believe the answer is:
nips
'small amounts' is the definition.
(can mean a small amount of alcohol)
'spin back' is the wordplay.
'back' says the letters should be written backwards.
'spin' back-to-front is 'NIPS'.
(Other definitions for nips that I've seen before include "Pinches in a spin" , "Pinches - in the bud?" , "cuts" , "Squeezes tightly between the fingers" , "Pinches - shots" .)