Crossword Genius

Rise firm to start or represent (5,3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

stand for

'represent' is the definition.
(standing for is a kind of representing)

'rise firm to start or' is the wordplay.
'rise' becomes 'stand' (I've seen this before**).
'to start' indicates taking the first letters.
The first letter of 'firm' is 'f'.
'stand'+'f'+'or'='STAND FOR'

(Other definitions for stand for that I've seen before include "Represent or tolerate" , "Signify" , "champion" , "Represent - in upright posture?" , "Represent or put up with" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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