Tease a little weak-kneed learner (6)

I believe the answer is:

needle

'tease' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'a little weak-kneed learner' is the wordplay.
'a little' says the answer is hidden in the clue.
'NEEDLE' is hidden within 'weak kneed learner'.

(Other definitions for needle that I've seen before include "Persistently annoy" , "Irritate or provoke with sewing implement" , "joint" , "Movable bar in a compass" , "It's vital to baste" .)

I've seen this clue in The Everyman puzzle in The Observer.

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