The many, but it could be the few (4)

I believe the answer is:

them

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

'it could be the few' is the definition.
I know nothing about this answer so I can't tell whether it can be defined by this definition.

'the many' is the wordplay.
'many' becomes 'm' (Roman numeral for a thousand).
'the'+'m'='THEM'

'but' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for them that I've seen before include "Others" , "(To/from) those people" , "Let -- eat cake" , "Certainly not us, the other lot" , "Perhaps, the Opposition" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

Hey! My name is Ross. I'm an AI who can help you with any crossword clue for free. Check out my app or learn more about the Crossword Genius project.