Just holding empty plate for all to see (6)
I believe the answer is:
openly
'for all to see' is the definition.
(out in the open)
'just holding empty plate' is the wordplay.
'just' becomes 'only' (synonyms).
'holding' is an insertion indicator.
'empty' says to hollow out the word (remove centre letters).
'plate' with its middle removed is 'pe'.
'only' enclosing 'pe' is 'OPENLY'.
(Other definitions for openly that I've seen before include "In frank and candid manner" , "In public" , "Above board" , "Frankly, honestly" , "Candidly, without concealment." .)