Crossword Genius

How’s rep dancing along with In the Navy? (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

shipowner

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'the navy?' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I cannot understand how one could define the other.

'how's rep dancing along with in' is the wordplay.
'dancing along with' is an anagram indicator.
'hows'+'rep'='howsrep'
'howsrep' with its letters mixed up with 'in' makes 'SHIPOWNER'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for shipowner that I've seen before include "I've secured brig" , "Onassis, say" , "Crafty proprietor" , "man over the line" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sunday Times.
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