Tolerates missing tea, perhaps and smooths things over (5)

I believe the answer is:

sands

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'tolerates missing tea' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.

'perhaps and smooths things over' is the wordplay.
'over' says the answer is hidden in the clue (the clue contains or goes 'over' the answer).
'SANDS' can be found hidden inside 'perhaps and smooths things'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for sands that I've seen before include "Beach" , "Smooths" , "Beaches" , "They run out (of time)" , "You may see them by sea" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.

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