Assumes the pun is about a drunken sot (4,2)

I believe the answer is:

puts on

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'assumes' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both related to change as well as being verbs in their -s form.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'pun is about a drunken sot' is the wordplay.
'is about' is an insertion indicator.
'a drunken' indicates an anagram.
'sot' anagrammed gives 'tso'.
'pun' enclosing 'tso' is 'PUTS ON'.

'the' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for puts on that I've seen is " Dons".)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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