Man down for permit (5)
I believe the answer is:
allow
'for permit' is the definition.
(synonyms)
'man down' is the wordplay.
'man' becomes 'al' (man's name).
'down' becomes 'low' (associated in meaning).
'al'+'low'='ALLOW'
(Other definitions for allow that I've seen before include "OK" , "Licence" , "Permit or agree" , "Permit or concede" , "Acknowledge - concede" .)