The little chap may bite, we hear (3)

I believe the answer is:

nat

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'the little chap' is the definition.
'Nat' can be an answer for 'chap'. I'm not sure about the 'the little' bit.

I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for nat that I've seen before include "Supporter of the SNP (abbr)" , "King Cole" , "Politician" , "A nationalist" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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