Trace container for example, on the way up (5)
I believe the answer is:
tinge
'trace' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'container for example on the way up' is the wordplay.
'container' becomes 'tin' (tin is a kind of container).
'for example' becomes 'eg' ('e.g.' can be a synonym of 'for example').
'on the way up' is a reversal indicator.
'eg' back-to-front is 'ge'.
'tin'+'ge'='TINGE'
(Other definitions for tinge that I've seen before include "A shade or a nuance" , "show a bit of colour ?" , "A slight shade of colour" , "A smack" , "Subdued colour" .)