Alleviates, with loss of volume, tottering on edge (3,2,4)
I believe the answer is:
ill at ease
'on edge' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'alleviates with loss of volume tottering' is the wordplay.
'with loss of' indicates named letters should be taken away.
'volume' becomes 'v' (abbreviation for volume in book titles).
'tottering' indicates an anagram.
'alleviates' with 'v' taken away is 'alleiates'.
'alleiates' with letters rearranged gives 'ILL-AT-EASE'.
(Other definitions for ill at ease that I've seen before include "Unsettled, anxious" , "On edge" , "Elite, alas? (Anag)" , "Nervous, uncomfortable" , "Fidgety" .)