Made up by performing fleas (5)
I believe the answer is:
false
'made up' is the definition.
The answer and definition are different parts of speech. However, adjectives and past participle verbs occasionally define each other.
'performing fleas' is the wordplay.
'performing' is an anagram indicator (the letters move around or 'perform').
'fleas' with letters rearranged gives 'FALSE'.
'by' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for false that I've seen before include "Wrong" , "Fake; untrue" , "Not in accordance with fact" , "Forged" , "Mendacious" .)