Cut off during rehearsal maybe? (5)
I believe the answer is:
shear
'cut off' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
I don't understand how the remainder of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for shear that I've seen before include "shave" , "Cut wool off (a sheep)" , "Fleece (a sheep)" , "Remove sheep's wool" , "Cut with clippers" .)