Tense and jumpy, now and then, when they get tipsy (7)
I believe the answer is:
uptight
'they get tipsy' is the definition.
The definition suggests an adverb but the answer is not.
'tense and jumpy now and then' is the wordplay.
'tense' becomes 'tight' (associated in meaning).
'and' says to put letters next to each other.
'now and then' means one should take alternating letters (letters taken on a regular basis, now and then).
The alternating letters of 'jumpy' are 'up'.
'tight' put after 'up' is 'UPTIGHT'.
'when' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for uptight that I've seen before include "Jumpy" , "Nervously tense (colloq.)" , "Informally nervous and tense" , "Tip thug, being nervous and tense" , "Tip thug, being nervously tense" .)