How do I solve 21 across in Express Cryptic 20260521?

Question

Accepted Answer

21 across reads "Got ready to improve dire pen" (7 letters); the answer is RIPENED. It's an anagram clue: the answer is a rearrangement of letters supplied by the clue itself. Look for an indicator like 'mixed', 'broken', 'cooked', or 'wild', and find a phrase whose letters add up to the answer's length. The full step-by-step breakdown is on this page.

Got ready to improve dire pen (7)

21A — Got ready to improve dire pen (7) — RIPENED