It's better to be under this than below it (3)

I believe the answer is:

par

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'it's better to be under this than below it' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.

This is the entire clue.

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(Other definitions for par that I've seen before include "Normal golfing score" , "standard for course" , "Rap for being average" , "Expected golf hole score" , "A number of golfing" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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