Crossword Genius

Normal procedure used for skipping? (3,5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

the ropes

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

'for skipping?' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.

'normal procedure' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'procedure' could be 'op' (short for operation) and 'op' is found in the answer.
The remaining letters 'theres' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

'used' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for the ropes that I've seen is " way of operating".)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Independent.
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