Crossword Genius

Managed to get into party, but accepted second-best (4,2)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

made do

'accepted second-best' is the definition.

'managed to get into party' is the wordplay.
'managed to get into' becomes 'made' ('make' can mean to reach something on time).
'party' becomes 'do' (do is a kind of party).
'made'+'do'='MADE DO'

'but' acts as a link.

(Another definition for made do that I've seen is " Coped".)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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