Crossword Genius

To settle a debt, you need your wage increased (3,2)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

pay up

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'to settle a debt' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'your wage increased' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'wage' could be 'pay' (synonyms) and 'pay' is present in the answer.
'increased' could be 'up' and 'up' is located in the answer.
No letters remain.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

'you need' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for pay up that I've seen before include "Give me the money!" , "Discharge a debt" , "Settle" , "Hand over the money" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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