On an ego trip? Tripping! (9)

I believe the answer is:

operating

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'on' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are adjectives. Maybe there's an association between them I don't understand?

'an ego trip? tripping' is the wordplay.
'tripping' indicates anagramming the letters.
'an'+'ego'+'trip'='anegotrip'
'anegotrip' with letters rearranged gives 'OPERATING'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for operating that I've seen before include "Functioning" , "(Of machine) running" , "Performing surgery" , "Cutting" , "at work" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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