To lift by the ears is maybe out of line (5)
I believe the answer is:
raise
'to lift' is the definition.
('raise' can be a synonym of 'lift')
'ears is maybe out of line' is the wordplay.
'is maybe' indicates an anagram.
'out' is an insertion indicator.
'of line' becomes 'i' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'ears' with letters rearranged gives 'rase'.
'rase' going around 'i' is 'RAISE'.
'by the' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for raise that I've seen before include "Exalt" , "Contact" , "Put up" , "Advance" , "Call up" .)