Crossword Genius

Tear up Age less eagerly but with a clear head (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

soberly

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

'but with a clear head' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.

'tear up age less eagerly' is the wordplay.
'tear up' becomes 'sob' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'less' is a deletion indicator.
'eagerly' with 'age' taken out is 'erly'.
'sob'+'erly'='SOBERLY'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for soberly that I've seen is " In a non-alcoholic manner.".)

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