Shows distress when upset by the boss (4)
I believe the answer is:
sobs
'shows distress' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are verbs in their -s form, I can't understand how they can define each other.
'upset by the boss' is the wordplay.
'upset by' is an anagram indicator.
'boss' anagrammed gives 'SOBS'.
'when' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for sobs that I've seen before include "Cries noisily" , "convulsions" , "Weeps noisily" , "Is unhappy" , "Weeps heavily for boss" .)