Crossword Genius

Stages for performing pests (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

steps

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'stages' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both acts as well as being plural nouns.
Perhaps there's a link between them I don't understand?

'performing pests' is the wordplay.
'performing' is an anagram indicator.
'pests' is an anagram of 'STEPS'.

'for' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for steps that I've seen before include "Stairs; paces" , "Procedures" , "Stiles" , "Buchan's 1915 novel has 39 of them" , "Small ladder" .)

I've seen this clue in The Mirror.
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