Crossword Genius

Usual small yardsticks (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

standards

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

'yardsticks' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both man-made objects as well as being plural nouns.
Maybe there's a link between them I don't understand?

'usual small' is the wordplay.
'usual' becomes 'standard' (synonyms).
'small' becomes 's' (abbreviation - e.g. clothes size).
'standard'+'s'='STANDARDS'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for standards that I've seen before include "Reference points for comparison" , "Touchstones, criteria" , "Flags; levels of quality" , "Principles of decent behaviour" , "Touchstones, reference points" .)

I've seen this clue in The Mirror.
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