Sting playing up in volatile Tibet (4)
I believe the answer is:
bite
'sting playing' is the definition.
'bite' can be an answer for 'sting' ('bite' can be a synonym of 'sting'). I am not sure about the 'playing' bit.
'up in volatile tibet' is the wordplay.
'up' shows that the letters should be reversed in order (in down clue: letters go upwards).
'in' says the answer is hidden in the clue.
'etib' can be found hidden inside 'volatile tibet'.
'etib' in reverse letter order is 'BITE'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for bite that I've seen before include "Grip with teeth" , "Take effect; snack" , "Grip; take effect" , "Cut with the teeth" , "power" .)