Superfluous measure, so I took some back (6)
I believe the answer is:
otiose
'superfluous' is the definition.
(I know that superfluous can be written as otiose)
'measure so i took some back' is the wordplay.
'some' says the answer is hidden in the clue.
'back' is a reversal indicator.
'esoito' can be found hidden inside 'measure so i took'.
'esoito' written backwards gives 'OTIOSE'.
(Other definitions for otiose that I've seen before include "Disinclined to work or exert oneself" , "Without practical purpose" , "unnecessary to say" , "Lazy, idle" , "Devoid of worth or significance" .)