It's ground for a menial to lose heart (4)

I believe the answer is:

meal

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'it's ground' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.

'menial to lose heart' is the wordplay.
'to lose heart' suggests removing the centre (I've seen 'lost heart' mean this).
'menial' with its middle taken out is 'MEAL'.

'for a' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for meal that I've seen before include "Breakfast, lunch or dinner" , "Food ground up" , "Powdered grain for dinner say" , "Eg, dinner or tea" , "Ground grain or pulses" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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