Raises sharp social climber (7)
I believe the answer is:
upstart
'social climber' is the definition.
(term for someone seeking higher social status)
'raises sharp' is the wordplay.
'raises' becomes 'ups' (I've seen this in another clue).
'sharp' becomes 'tart' (I've seen this before).
'ups'+'tart'='UPSTART'
(Other definitions for upstart that I've seen before include "Person who behaves arrogantly in the new position" , "Pipsqueak" , "Presumptuous and arrogant type" , "Bumptious parvenu" , "Person newly risen from the ranks and arrogant" .)