Incline to raise in status
I believe the answer is:
upgrade
'incline' is the definition.
(upgrade is a kind of incline)
'raise in status' is the wordplay.
'raise in' becomes 'up' (I've seen this in other clues. I am not sure about the 'in' bit.**).
'status' becomes 'grade' (grade is a kind of status).
'up'+'grade'='UPGRADE'
'to' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for upgrade that I've seen before include "Improve equipment or promote" , "Raise to higher standard" , "Raise the level" , "Raise to higher rank, or improve equipment" , "Raise in status or quality" .)