Take an attitude over something that's beneath you (8)

I believe the answer is:

straddle

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'take an' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both acts as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe you can see an association between them that I don't see?

I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for straddle that I've seen before include "Sit astride" , "Go across" , "noncommittal stance" , "Get over" , "Stand with legs wide apart" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.

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