Make compensation for a false note (5)
I believe the answer is:
atone
'make compensation' is the definition.
(thesaurus)
'a false note' is the wordplay.
'false' indicates an anagram.
'note' with letters rearranged gives 'tone'.
'a'+'tone'='ATONE'
'for' is the link.
(Other definitions for atone that I've seen before include "Make good" , "Make up, compensate (for)" , "In agreement - sounds singular" , "Turn away from sin and do penance" , "Recompense" .)