Bloke gets potential lover in order (7)

I believe the answer is:

mandate

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'order' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'bloke gets potential lover' is the wordplay.
'bloke' becomes 'man' (I've seen this in other clues).
'gets' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'potential lover' becomes 'date' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'man'+'date'='MANDATE'

'in' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for mandate that I've seen before include "Written authority" , "Authorisation to a politician" , "Social appointment for male - or authority given" , "Make compulsory" , "Official order or commission to do something" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sun.

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