Crossword Genius

Hot member close to tears and ready to fight (2,4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

in arms

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'ready to fight' is the definition.
I know nothing about this answer so I can't tell whether this works.

'hot member close to tears' is the wordplay.
'hot' becomes 'in' (both can mean fashionable).
'member' becomes 'arm' (arm is a kind of member).
'close to' suggests the final letters (the 'close' to the word).
The final letter of 'tears' is 's'.
'in'+'arm'+'s'='IN ARMS'

'and' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for in arms that I've seen is " Prepared to fight".)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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