What makes one feel more able, say, to put up rent (3,4)
I believe the answer is:
ego trip
'what makes one feel more able' is the definition.
(an ego trip makes you feel more important)
'say to put up rent' is the wordplay.
'say' becomes 'eg' (short for 'exempli gratia', 'for example' in Latin).
'put up' says the letters should be written in reverse.
'rent' becomes 'rip' (rent can mean a tear in something).
'to' backwards is 'ot'.
'eg'+'ot'+'rip'='EGO-TRIP'
(Other definitions for ego trip that I've seen before include "Self-centred journey?" , "Self-aggrandising conduct" , "Self-aggrandising journey" , "Something done to make one feel important" , "Activity designed to boost self-esteem or conceit" .)