Student dropped malt on rug (3)
I believe the answer is:
mat
'rug' is the definition.
(both are floor coverings)
'student dropped malt on' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'on' could be 'at' (I've seen this in other clues) and 'at' is found within the answer.
A single letter 'm' remains which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This may be the basis of clue (or it may be nonsense).
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for mat that I've seen before include "Opening of good book" , "knot" , "Not glossy" , "Unglossy floor pad" , "Rough piece of floor-covering" .)