A sign of losing? (5)

I believe the answer is:

minus

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'a sign' is the definition.
(minus sign is a kind of sign)

I can't explain the rest of the clue.

(Other definitions for minus that I've seen before include "deficiency" , "(Of temperature) below zero" , "Lacking; below zero" , "Disadvantage" , "Take-away (sign)" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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