Couples in some places sift one first (5)

I believe the answer is:

items

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'couples' is the definition.
(a couple might be called an 'item')

I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.

(Other definitions for items that I've seen before include "Articles or units on a list" , "Objects on a list" , "Individuals units" , "Things on a list" , "Elements" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times and The Sunday Times.

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