Maybe paved way for short op that’s botched (8)
I believe the answer is:
footpath
'maybe paved way' is the definition.
(a paved pathway)
'for short op that's botched' is the wordplay.
'short' means to remove the last letter.
'botched' indicates anagramming the letters.
'for' with its last letter removed is 'fo'.
'op'+'that'='opthat'
'opthat' is an anagram of 'otpath'.
'fo'+'otpath'='FOOTPATH'
(Other definitions for footpath that I've seen before include "cross-country route" , "It's at the side of the road for pedestrians" , "pedestrian course" , "Thoroughfare for pedestrians" , "Countryside right of way" .)