Here are the possible solutions for they have small roles clue
Answer
Clue
Relevancy
cogs
Clue
They have small roles
Definition
COG, to cheat at dice
bosses
Clue
They have leading roles
Definition
BOSS, to domineer over
bras
Clue
They have supporting roles
Definition
(Spenser) brass
cclamps
Clue
They have gripping roles
newt
Clue
Gingrich who said "females have biological problems staying in a ditch for thirty days because they get infections and they don't have upper body strength"
Definition
a tailed amphibian of the salamander family, also EWT