It takes a lot to make tea for a friend! (4)
I believe the answer is:
mate
'for a friend' is the definition.
(mate is a kind of friend)
'it takes a lot to make tea' is the wordplay.
'it' becomes ''t' (abbreviation. e.g. in 'tis).
'takes' is an insertion indicator (take can mean to capture or invade).
'a lot' becomes 'm'.
'to make tea' becomes 'ae' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'm'+'ae'='mae'
't' going into 'mae' is 'MATE'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for mate that I've seen before include "Friend; chess move" , "Chess finale" , "Friend, buddy" , "Friend, partner" , "Final check at chess" .)