Distressed, failing to start rocket (6)
I believe the answer is:
earful
'rocket' is the definition.
(both can mean a reprimand)
'distressed failing to start' is the wordplay.
'distressed' becomes 'tearful' (I've seen this before).
'failing to start' means to remove the first letter.
'tearful' with its first letter taken away is 'EARFUL'.
(Other definitions for earful that I've seen before include "Reprimand (informal)" , "Volley of abuse, criticism" , "Load of abuse (received)" , "A scolding (sl.)" , "A telling-off" .)