Time in office is somewhat better, maybe (4)
I believe the answer is:
term
'time in office' is the definition.
(eg a presidential term)
'somewhat better maybe' is the wordplay.
'somewhat' says the answer is hidden in the clue.
'TERM' can be found hidden inside 'better maybe'.
'is' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for term that I've seen before include "Word or expression and period of time" , "end" , "Through which something has got to last" , "A fixed or limited time - or an expression" , "Fixed period of time" .)