Flaws in deal, perhaps - parts can be described so negatively (9)

'flaws in deal' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are plural nouns, I don't understand how one could define the other.

'parts can be described so negatively' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'parts' could be 'holes' (hole is a kind of part) and 'holes' is present in the answer.
The remaining letters 'knot' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

'perhaps' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?