Judge fabric before getting cut up (8)
I believe the answer is:
lacerate
'cut up' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'judge fabric before' is the wordplay.
'judge' becomes 'rate' (rating is a kind of judging).
'fabric' becomes 'lace' (lace is a kind of fabric).
'before' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'rate' after 'lace' is 'LACERATE'.
'getting' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for lacerate that I've seen before include "Deeply cut (flesh, skin)" , "Tear or cut (flesh) deeply" , "Harrow" , "Clare ate (anag)" , "Tear or gash roughly" .)