Crossword Genius

Something dramatic not everyone will pick up (5,7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

stage whisper

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'pick up' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't understand how they can define each other.

'something dramatic not everyone will' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'something' could be 'er' (I've seen this in other clues) and 'er' is found within the answer.
This may be the basis of clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for stage whisper that I've seen before include "Actor's quiet remark meant for the audience to hear" , "Ostensibly private aside intended to be heard by audience" , "something the audience should hear" , "Actor's aside" , "Utterance by an actor, supposedly not heard by the other players" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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