Crossword Genius

Clip something from the paper? Don't do that! (3,2,3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

cut it out

'don't do that' is the definition.
('cut it out' means 'stop doing that')

'clip something from the paper?' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'clip' could be 'cut' (I've seen this before) and 'cut' is present in the answer.
'something' could be 'it' (I've seen this in other clues) and 'it' is located in the answer.
'from' could be 'o' (I've seen this in other clues) and 'o' is present in the answer.
'the' could be 't' (the is pronounced as a 't' sound in some dialects) and 't' is present in the answer.
A single letter 'u' remains which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

(Other definitions for cut it out that I've seen before include "In slang, stop doing that - use scissors?" , "Leave off (informal)" , "Stop that - maybe with scissors" , "Don't!" , "Prepare to submit your solution" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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