Crossword Genius

Boost Chinese and UK measures of distance (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

lift

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'boost' is the definition.
(both can mean to steal)

'chinese and uk measures of distance' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'distance' could be 'ft' and 'ft' is located in the answer.
The remaining letters 'li' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for lift that I've seen before include "remove" , "Raise - hoist" , "encouragement" , "Raise, elevate" , "Pick up" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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