Boss is upset and shows distress (4)
I believe the answer is:
sobs
'shows distress' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are verbs in their -s form, I don't understand how one could define the other.
'boss is upset' is the wordplay.
'is upset' indicates an anagram (I've seen 'are upset' mean this).
'boss' anagrammed gives 'SOBS'.
'and' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for sobs that I've seen before include "Weeps heavily for boss" , "Weeps audibly" , "Given evidence of distress" , "convulsions" , "Weeps heavily (4)" .)