How do I solve 3 across in Express Cryptic 20260609?

Question

Accepted Answer

3 across reads "Kissing bird first, then nagging" (3-7 letters); the answer is HEN-PECKING. It's a charade: the answer breaks into parts in clue order, each part clued by a word or short phrase. No indicators needed; watch for standard abbreviations (RA = artist, US = American, IN = at home) and short synonyms. The full step-by-step breakdown is on this page.

Kissing bird first, then nagging (3-7)

3A — Kissing bird first, then nagging (3-7) — HEN-PECKING