Crossword Genius

You can think of one as near perfect (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

idea

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

'you can think of one' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.

'as near perfect' is the wordplay.
'as' becomes 'a' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'near' says to put letters next to each other (I've seen this in other clues).
'perfect' becomes 'ide' (I've seen this in another clue).
'a' after 'ide' is 'IDEA'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for idea that I've seen before include "Notion in the mind" , "Sudden inspiration?" , "Thought, conception" , "Something imagined in the mind" , "Thought; concept" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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