Go a short way for an assignation (5)
I believe the answer is:
tryst
'an assignation' is the definition.
(synonyms)
'go a short way for' is the wordplay.
'go' becomes 'try' (both can mean an attempt).
'a short' means to remove the last letter.
'way' becomes 's' (Compass direction - South).
'for' becomes 'to' (eg both can mean 'in the opinion of').
's'+'to'='sto'
'sto' with its last letter taken off is 'st'.
'try'+'st'='TRYST'
(Other definitions for tryst that I've seen before include "Secret rendezvous between lovers" , "private appointment" , "An archaic lovers' meeting" , "Rendezvous with lover" , "Rendezvous - assignation" .)