Beat for pace (4)
I believe the answer is:
lick
I believe this is a double definition.
'beat' is the first definition.
('lick' can be a synonym of 'beat')
'pace' is the second definition.
(thesaurus)
'for' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for lick that I've seen before include "Jazz phrase" , "Lap; defeat" , "Moisten" , "Wipe with the tongue" , "Lap; beat soundly" .)