Crossword Genius

Shows emotion and is destruct­ive? Doesn't sound like it (5,2)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

tears up

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'shows emotion' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are verbs in their -s form, I don't see how they can define each other.

'is destructive? doesn't sound like it' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'sound' could be 'ear' (I've seen this in other clues) and 'ear' is found in the answer.
'it' could be 't' (abbreviation. e.g. in 'tis) and 't' is found in the answer.
The remaining letters 'sup' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This may be the basis of clue (or it may be nonsense).

'and' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for tears up that I've seen before include "Shreds" , "Cancels" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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