The little beast couldn't really make toast! (5)
I believe the answer is:
stoat
'the little beast couldn't really' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.
'make toast' is the wordplay.
'make' indicates anagramming the letters.
'toast' is an anagram of 'STOAT'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for stoat that I've seen before include "furry animal" , "Ermine in summertime?" , "Small carnivorous mammal of the weasel family" , "European ermine" , "Short-tail weasel" .)