Fail to take a ticket to the top? (4,2)
I believe the answer is:
pass up
'fail' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are verbs in their base form, I cannot understand how one could define the other.
'a ticket to the top?' is the wordplay.
'a ticket' becomes 'pass' (pass is a kind of ticket).
'to the top?' becomes 'up' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'pass'+'up'='PASS UP'
'to take' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for pass up that I've seen before include "Fail to take advantage of" , "Miss" , "Showing neglect" , "Refrain from taking an opportunity" , "Neglect (an opportunity)" .)