Crossword Genius

Increases expressions of approval when they move away (2,6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

up sticks

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

'move away' is the definition.
'up sticks' can be an answer for 'move' (to up sticks is to move house). I'm not certain of the 'away' bit.

'increases expressions of approval when they' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'increases' could be 'ups' (upping is a kind of increasing) and 'ups' is found within the answer.
The remaining letters 'ticks' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for up sticks that I've seen before include "Move house(colloq.)" , "Make off" , "Move away without warning" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.
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