Manages gravity when covering poles (7)

I believe the answer is:

governs

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

'manages' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both to do with social activities as well as being verbs in their -s form.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'gravity when covering poles' is the wordplay.
'gravity' becomes 'g'.
'when covering' becomes 'over' (I've seen this in another clue. I am not sure about the 'when' bit.).
'poles' becomes 'NS' (north and south poles).
'g'+'over'+'ns'='GOVERNS'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for governs that I've seen is " Rules".)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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