Crossword Genius

Listen with zeal to each plonk being brought over (3,2)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

eat up

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

'listen' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are verbs in their base form, I cannot see how they can define each other.

'zeal to each plonk being brought over' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'each' could be 'ea' (abbreviation) and 'ea' is found within the answer.
'over' could be 'up' (e.g. if your time is up it is over) and 'up' is found in the answer.
A single letter 't' remains which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

'with' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for eat up that I've seen before include "Finish course" , "Empty plate" , "Finish one's food" , "43 [TUCK] in" , "Consume completely" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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