Crossword Genius

Standard lack of elite soldiers! (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

norm

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'standard' is the definition.
(I know that norm is a type of standard)

'lack of elite soldiers' is the wordplay.
'lack of' becomes 'no' (lack of money is no money).
'elite soldiers' becomes 'rm' (Royal Marines. I am not sure about the 'elite' bit.).
'no'+'rm'='NORM'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for norm that I've seen before include "Required or acceptable standard" , "expected thing" , "Expected standard" , "(The) accepted way" , "Standard considered to be representative" .)

I've seen this clue in The Mirror.
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