Cry before Virgin Ascending then get real (5,2)
I believe the answer is:
sober up
'get real' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'cry before virgin ascending' is the wordplay.
'cry' becomes 'sob' (sobbing is a kind of crying).
'before' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'virgin' becomes 'pure' (synonyms).
'ascending' is a reversal indicator.
'pure' written backwards gives 'erup'.
'sob'+'erup'='SOBER UP'
'then' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for sober up that I've seen before include "become serious" , "Become less drunk" , "Get real" , "What you do when drink wears off" .)