Appeals, perhaps, without upsetting pa (5)

I believe the answer is:

pleas

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'appeals' is the definition.
(plea is a kind of appeal)

I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.

(Other definitions for pleas that I've seen before include "Urgent entreaties" , "Entreats" , "Excuses, pretexts" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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