Dire prospects for improving morale (6,2,5)

I believe the answer is:

esprit de corps

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'morale' is the definition.
(French term for morale or belief felt by a group)

'dire prospects for improving' is the wordplay.
'dire prospects' can be anagrammed to 'ESPRIT DE CORPS'.
But, I'm not sure how the anagram is indicated.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for esprit de corps that I've seen before include "Morale" , "Feeling of pride and loyalty shared by members of a group (French)" , "The feeling's mutual!" , "Collective feeling of pride" , "Dire prospects (anag.)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.

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