Exploding man lifted phone (7,2)

I believe the answer is:

flaring up

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'exploding' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both related to change as well as being present participle verbs.
Perhaps you can see a link between them that I don't see?

'man lifted phone' is the wordplay.
'man' becomes 'Alf' (short for Alfred).
'lifted' says the letters should be written backwards (going up in down clue).
'phone' becomes 'ringup' (I've seen this in another clue).
'alf' back-to-front is 'fla'.
'fla'+'ringup'='FLARING UP'

Can you help me to learn more?

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.

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