Crossword Genius

Collapse with strain during competition (5,2)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

crack up

'collapse' is the definition.
(I know that crack-up is a type of collapse)

'strain during competition' is the wordplay.
'strain' becomes 'rack' (racking is a kind of straining).
'during' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'competition' becomes 'cup' (eg the FA Cup).
'rack' put into 'cup' is 'CRACK-UP'.

'with' is the link.

(Other definitions for crack up that I've seen before include "Have a nervous breakdown" , "laugh out loud?" , "Collapse under strain; praise" , "Fail" , "Laugh without restraint" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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