They would take ace as a threat! (3)

I believe the answer is:

men

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'they' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are plural nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?

I don't understand how the remainder of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for men that I've seen before include "Chess pieces" , "gents" , "Males of Armenian extraction." , "Male humans" , "Fellows, chaps" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Independent.

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