Denim turn-ups are explosive! (5)
I believe the answer is:
mined
'explosive' is the definition.
Both the answer and definition are adjectives. Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'denim turn-ups' is the wordplay.
'turn ups' says the letters should be written backwards (I've seen 'turned up' mean this).
'denim' backwards is 'MINED'.
'are' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for mined that I've seen before include "proceeded secretly" , "Extracted minerals from the earth" , "Quarried" , "Booby-trapped; dug ores from" , "laid eggs" .)