Cocky newcomer gets pastry to rise? (7)
I believe the answer is:
upstart
'cocky newcomer' is the definition.
'upstart' can be an answer for 'newcomer' (I have seen 'Arrogant newcomer ' mean 'upstart' so perhaps 'newcomer' could also mean 'upstart'). I am unsure of the 'cocky' bit.
'pastry to rise?' is the wordplay.
'pastry' becomes 'tart' (type of pastry).
'to' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other) (I've seen this in other clues).
'rise?' becomes 'ups' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'tart' after 'ups' is 'UPSTART'.
'gets' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for upstart that I've seen before include "Pipsqueak" , "Person who behaves arrogantly in the new position" , "someone pretentious" , "Recent promotees, say, behaving with arrogance" , "Person recently elevated and arrogant with it" .)