Crossword Genius

Is it bad down there? (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

base

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'down there?' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both natural objects as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe there's a link between them I don't understand?

'is it bad' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'it' could be 'e' ('e' can mean 'electronic' which is similar to 'IT') and 'e' is present in the answer.
The remaining letters 'bas' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for base that I've seen before include "Ignoble; bottom" , "Low kind of foundation" , "This underlying structure" , "Mil. operations centre" , "Bottom support" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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