Symbolically, a little dash can mean a lot in the States (5)

I believe the answer is:

minus

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'symbolically a little dash can' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.

'a lot in the states' is the wordplay.
'a lot' becomes 'm'.
'the states' becomes 'US' (abbreviation for the United States).
'm'+'in'+'us'='MINUS'

'mean' is the link.

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(Other definitions for minus that I've seen before include "deficiency" , "Deprived of" , "Less, without" , "Lacking; below zero" , "Disadvantage" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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