Twist a lever to lift (8)
I believe the answer is:
elevator
'lift' is the definition.
('elevator' can be a synonym of 'lift')
'twist a lever to' is the wordplay.
'twist' indicates an anagram.
'a'+'lever'+'to'='aleverto'
'aleverto' is an anagram of 'ELEVATOR'.
(Other definitions for elevator that I've seen before include "Lift - granary - aircraft control" , "one that goes up and down" , "Lifting device" , "it's uplifting" , "A lift in America" .)