Be quiet and help with the dishwashing (3,2)

I believe the answer is:

dry up

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'be' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are verbs in their base form, I cannot understand how they can define each other.

I don't understand the remainder of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for dry up that I've seen before include "(Of flow) decrease and stop" , "Desiccate" , "Rude command to stop talking, or polish dishes after washing" , "Stop talking; fail (as a spring)" , "Shrivel" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.

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