It takes me a long time to produce idols (6)
I believe the answer is:
images
'produce idols' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both man-made objects as well as being plural nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'it takes me a long time' is the wordplay.
'it' becomes 'm' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'takes' means one lot of letters goes inside another (take can mean to capture or invade).
'me' becomes 'I'.
'a long time' becomes 'ages' (ages can mean a very long time).
'i'+'ages'='iages'
'm' going within 'iages' is 'IMAGES'.
'to' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for images that I've seen before include "Likenesses or mental pictures" , "Ageism (anag)" , "Photos or representations" , "Reflections in mirrors" , "Semblances" .)