React to provocation (4,2,3,4)
I believe the answer is:
rise to the bait
'react to provocation' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for rise to the bait that I've seen before include "respond to provocation" , "Do what someone wants one to do" , "Respond as hoped for to hints etc" , "Do what someone else suggests" , "Fish may" .)