As a team, perhaps, gain promotion outright (5)

I believe the answer is:

group

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'as' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both substances as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?

I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.

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(Other definitions for group that I've seen before include "Crew" , "Aggregation" , "Set; place together" , "Number of people or items together" , "Collection" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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