Steals up, ripping off pounds (8)

I believe the answer is:

pulsates

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'off pounds' is the definition.
'pulsates' can be an answer for 'pounds' (pulsating is a kind of pounding). I'm unsure of the 'off' bit.

'steals up ripping' is the wordplay.
'ripping' is an anagram indicator.
'steals'+'up'='stealsup'
'stealsup' with letters rearranged gives 'PULSATES'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for pulsates that I've seen before include "Throbs like 6 Down" , "Palpitates or throbs like heart" , "Throbs regularly like heart" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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