A modus operandi abroad (4)
I believe the answer is:
away
'abroad' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'a modus operandi' is the wordplay.
'modus operandi' becomes 'way' (I've seen this in another clue).
'a'+'way'='AWAY'
(Other definitions for away that I've seen before include "Detached" , "United win at Chelsea" , "'''... in a manger, no crib for a bed'' (carol) (4)'" , "playing at United?" , "Elsewhere" .)