Quiet lift gets commendation (6)
I believe the answer is:
praise
'commendation' is the definition.
(I know that praise is a type of commendation)
'quiet lift' is the wordplay.
'quiet' becomes 'p' (music symbol for 'piano', ie soft or quiet).
'lift' becomes 'raise' (synonyms).
'p'+'raise'='PRAISE'
'gets' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for praise that I've seen before include "Kudos, pat on the back" , "Express warm approval of (someone/something)" , "Extol, laud" , "Acclaim, commend" , "plaudit" .)