Carry it off with verve (6)

I believe the answer is:

spirit

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'verve' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.

(Other definitions for spirit that I've seen before include "Animating force within living things" , "Ghost - pluck" , "enthusiasm" , "Brandy" , "Enthusiastic ghost" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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