Means of lifting pitch or rating (4,3)
I believe the answer is:
jack tar
'rating' is the definition.
(both can mean a sailor)
'means of lifting pitch' is the wordplay.
'means of lifting' becomes 'jack' (tool used to lift or raise something).
'pitch' becomes 'tar' (synonyms).
'jack'+'tar'='JACK-TAR'
'or' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for jack tar that I've seen before include "One singing shanty" , "(Jolly) sailor" , "Serviceman" .)