It gives one the first chance of foolishness (5)
I believe the answer is:
april
'it gives one the first chance of foolishness' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.
This is all the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for april that I've seen before include "''... is the cruellest month'' (TS Eliot)" , "Reputedly showery month" , "Thirty days in spring" , "Fourth month" , "days on end" .)