Crossword Genius

Begins - telling jokes? (4,8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

gets cracking

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This could be a double definition.

'begins' is the first definition.
(getting cracking is a kind of begining)

'telling jokes?' is the second definition.
Although both the answer and definition are verbs in their -s form, I can't see how one could define the other.

Can you help me to learn more?

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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