The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 6 letter word NOGGIN
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
N
O
G
G
I
N
More clues leading to the result NOGGIN
- No good having strong drink in small cup
- Mug about to return goods conforming to latest fashion
- Tipple that’s good in absence of spirit?
- Absence of d-drink? Or a small amount
- Head’s briefly g-gone back home
- Drink and drink and drink!
- Gill usually gives head
- Head north, going wrong
- Head no good, with drink taken
- Drink in a mug
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "a small amount" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case a small amount = noggin.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does NOGGIN mean?
NOGGIN noun- A small mug, cup or ladle.
- (obsolete outside dialectal) A small measure of spirits equivalent to a gill.
- The head.
- A signalling molecule involved in embryo development, producing large heads at high concentrations.
- A horizontal beam used in the construction of a building, especially to strengthen upright posts.
- Rough brick masonry used to fill open spaces.