Deeply distressed, all to pieces (3,2)

I believe the answer is:

cut up

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'deeply distressed' is the definition.
(someone cut up by something is distressed by it)

I can't explain the remainder of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for cut up that I've seen before include "Distressed - dissected" , "Dissect" , "Maize, rye, corn, etc" , "Destroy with scissors" , "Dice, chop" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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