Don returns before tennis finishes; shows sleepiness (4)
I believe the answer is:
nods
'shows sleepiness' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both to do with motion as well as being verbs in their -s form.
Perhaps you can see a link between them that I can't see?
'don returns before tennis finishes' is the wordplay.
'returns' says the letters should be written in reverse.
'before' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'finishes' suggests the final letters (I've seen 'finish' mean this).
The final letter of 'tennis' is 's'.
'don' written backwards gives 'nod'.
'nod'+'s'='NODS'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for nods that I've seen before include "Non-verbal indications of assent" , "Inclines head" , "gestures in agreement" , "Agrees" , "is about to crash?" .)