Confess that hurts before Sally returns … (3,2)
I believe the answer is:
own up
'confess' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'that hurts before sally returns' is the wordplay.
'that hurts' becomes 'ow!'.
'before' says to put letters next to each other.
'sally' becomes 'pun' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'returns' is a reversal indicator.
'pun' written backwards gives 'nup'.
'ow'+'nup'='OWN-UP'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for own up that I've seen before include "be honest" , "Accept responsibility" , "Come clean (about wrongdoing)" , "Confess, admit guilt (3.2)" , "Confess, acknowledge fault" .)