Possibly rates as damage (5)
I believe the answer is:
tears
'damage' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both acts as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'possibly rates' is the wordplay.
'possibly' is an anagram indicator.
'rates' with letters rearranged gives 'TEARS'.
'as' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for tears that I've seen before include "Lacerations (before bedtime?)" , "Rush special" , "Signs of unhappiness" , "charges" , "Rips; droplets" .)