Mean to acquire a first-class figure (3)
I believe the answer is:
aim
'mean' is the definition.
(aiming is a kind of meaning)
'acquire a first-class figure' is the wordplay.
'a first' indicates taking the first letters.
'class figure' becomes 'im' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
The initial letter of 'acquire' is 'a'.
'a'+'im'='AIM'
'to' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for aim that I've seen before include "Focus on target" , "Object; intend" , "anticipated" , "mission" , "Ambition or goal" .)