Girl doing housework with a cheerful expression (2,4)
I believe the answer is:
au pair
'girl' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'doing housework with a cheerful expression' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'a' is within the answer.
'cheerful' could be 'up' (up can mean cheerful or upbeat) and 'up' is found within the answer.
'expression' could be 'air' (I've seen this before) and 'air' is found in the answer.
No letters remain.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for au pair that I've seen before include "Foreign home helper" , "French girl, say, who does" , "One helping with childcare" , "Young foreigner living with a family in return for housework" , "Young foreigner doing light domestic duties in return for keep" .)