Crossword Genius

TUC, as it were, to be deeply distressed (3,2)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

cut up

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'to be deeply distressed' is the definition.
(someone cut up by something is distressed by it)

'tuc as it' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
an anagram of 'tuc' is 'cut' which is present in the answer.
The remaining letters 'up' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

'were' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for cut up that I've seen before include "Destroy with scissors" , "Badly hurt" , "Deeply distressed (slang)" , "Very unhappy" , "Dice, chop" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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