Somehow gets pier standing (8)
I believe the answer is:
prestige
'standing' is the definition.
(I know that prestige is a type of standing)
'somehow gets pier' is the wordplay.
'somehow' indicates an anagram.
'gets'+'pier'='getspier'
'getspier' anagrammed gives 'PRESTIGE'.
(Other definitions for prestige that I've seen before include "High repute" , "Highly-regarded" , "Status, reputation" , "Widespread respect for high quality" , "It's good standing" .)