Crossword Genius

It means trouble when a vehicle gets put in reverse (4-2)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

bust-up

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'it means trouble' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.

'a vehicle gets put in reverse' is the wordplay.
'a vehicle' becomes 'bus' (bus is a kind of vehicle).
'gets' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'in reverse' says the letters should be written backwards.
'put' in reverse letter order is 'tup'.
'bus'+'tup'='BUST-UP'

'when' acts as a link.

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(Other definitions for bust-up that I've seen before include "Quarrel, brawl" , "Quarrel, possibly ending a friendship" , "Argument finishing a relationship" , "Serious quarrel/fight" , "Serious altercation" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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