Actually acceptable degree, despite being cut back (2,6,7)

'actually acceptable degree despite' is the definition.
I know nothing about this answer so I cannot judge whether this works.

'cut back' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'back' could be 'second' (both can mean to support an idea or proposal) and 'second' is located in the answer.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

'being' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?