Utensil can work after Frenchman's shown up

'utensil' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'can work after frenchman's shown up' is the wordplay.
'can' becomes 'tin' (synonyms).
'work' becomes 'op' (common abbreviation for 'opus').
'after' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'frenchman' becomes 'rene' (common French name).
'shown up' is a reversal indicator.
'rene' back-to-front is 'ener'.
'tin'+'op'+'ener'='TIN-OPENER'

Can you help me to learn more?