This is wrong, giving the short measure (5)
I believe the answer is:
theft
'this is wrong' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.
'giving the short measure' is the wordplay.
'giving' says to put letters next to each other.
'the short' becomes 't' (the is pronounced as a 't' sound in some dialects; 'short' asks for a short form).
'measure' becomes 'heft' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
't' put next to 'heft' is 'THEFT'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for theft that I've seen before include "Taking offence?" , "Act of larceny" , "Act of stealing" , "Burglary" , "crime incident" .)