Hear a pot being thrown - it can collapse (5,3)
I believe the answer is:
opera hat
'it can collapse' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.
'hear a pot being thrown' is the wordplay.
'being thrown' indicates an anagram.
'hear'+'a'+'pot'='hearapot'
'hearapot' is an anagram of 'OPERA-HAT'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for opera hat that I've seen before include "collapsible accessory - atop him surely?" , "that can be altered to flatter profile" , "Formal theatre wear" , "garment in theatre?" , "Lid that collapses" .)