Crossword Genius

An excursion before the fall? (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

trip

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

'an excursion' is the definition.
(I've seen this in other clues)

'before the fall?' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'the' could be 't' (the is pronounced as a 't' sound in some dialects) and 't' is present in the answer.
The remaining letters 'rip' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for trip that I've seen before include "Run - dance - tumble" , "Device working a trap or alarm when stumbled over" , "Accidental misstep" , "Pleasure excursion" , "Short excursion" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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