Copper, put off, distressed (3,2)
I believe the answer is:
cut up
'distressed' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'copper put off' is the wordplay.
'copper' becomes 'cu' (chemical symbol).
'off' is an anagram indicator.
'put' is an anagram of 'tup'.
'cu'+'tup'='CUT-UP'
(Other definitions for cut up that I've seen before include "Chop into bits - deeply offended" , "Badly hurt" , "Sliced; distressed" , "Abrupt change; pace" , "Extremely upset" .)