It can make a hole in bad pears (5)

I believe the answer is:

spear

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'it can make a hole' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.

'bad pears' is the wordplay.
'bad' indicates an anagram.
'pears' with letters rearranged gives 'SPEAR'.

'in' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for spear that I've seen before include "Weapon; asparagus stem" , "Asparagus shoot" , "Primitive weapon" , "pierce with this?" , "Impale" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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