Short distance for last four characters in 3 down (4)

I believe the answer is:

step

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'short distance' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

I don't understand the rest of the clue.

(Other definitions for step that I've seen before include "Bit of mashed potato maybe" , "Section of flight" , "Pace for a pest" , "Pest (anag.)" , "Measure taken" .)

I've seen this clue in the Irish Times.

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