Reconstructing accident, operating on the cheap (7,7)

I believe the answer is:

cutting corners

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'the cheap' is the definition.
I don't know anything about this answer so I can't tell whether this works.

'reconstructing accident operating' is the wordplay.
'reconstructing' can be anagrammed to 'CUTTING CORNERS'.
Though, I'm unsure how this is indicated.

'on' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for cutting corners that I've seen before include "economical" , "Taking the easy option" .)

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

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