A dumb friend going up some steps (3)
I believe the answer is:
pet
'a dumb friend going' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both acts as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe you can see a link between them that I can't see?
'up some steps' is the wordplay.
'up' says the letters should be written backwards (in down clue: letters go upwards).
'some' says the answer is hidden in the clue (some of the parts of the word are used).
'tep' is hidden within 'steps'.
'tep' written backwards gives 'PET'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for pet that I've seen before include "Favourite pupil" , "Little darling" , "Paddy" , "Animal as a companion" , "Particular favourite" .)