Pine used in making a tea chest (4)
I believe the answer is:
ache
'pine' is the definition.
(synonyms)
'in making a tea chest' is the wordplay.
'in' says the answer is hidden in the clue.
'ACHE' is hidden in the letters of 'making tea chest'.
'used' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for ache that I've seen before include "Play up" , "Cause pain" , "Dull throbbing pain" , "Hurt; yearn" , "anguish" .)