Favour a first-class figure (3)
I believe the answer is:
aid
'favour a first-class figure' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both acts as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'favour a first' is the wordplay.
'favour' becomes 'id' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'first' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'id' after 'a' is 'AID'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for aid that I've seen before include "Care, assistance" , "Help, assistance" , "welfare" , "Relief" , "Help or support" .)