Make foolish mistake by cutting older supermodels (4-2)

I believe the answer is:

mess-up

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'make' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both acts as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?

I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.

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(Other definitions for mess-up that I've seen before include "Go wrong -- create disorder" , "Fiasco" , "Muddle, bungle" , "Handle (something) ineptly" , "Muddle - confusion" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.

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