Overhear what happens in fall when top is missing (9)
I believe the answer is:
eavesdrop
'overhear' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'happens in fall when top is missing' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'fall' could be 'drop' (synonyms) and 'drop' is found in the answer.
'when' could be 'e' (I've seen this in other clues) and 'e' is present in the answer.
The remaining letters 'aves' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).
'what' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for eavesdrop that I've seen before include "listen privately" , "Listen in secret" , "Overhear" , "Listen-in" , "Listen secretly to private talk" .)