Friend almost got a rug (3)
I believe the answer is:
mat
'a rug' is the definition.
(both are floor coverings)
'friend almost' is the wordplay.
'friend' becomes 'mate' (mate is a kind of friend).
'almost' means to remove the last letter (most of the word but not all of it).
'mate' with its last letter taken off is 'MAT'.
'got' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for mat that I've seen before include "Rug; without a shine" , "Shoe-cleaner" , "Floor-pad" , "coaster" , "Small carpet" .)