Taking steps to rule out Open University (7)
I believe the answer is:
reading
This clue is a quadruple definition!!
'taking steps' is the first definition.
'reading' can be an answer for 'taking' ('read' can be a synonym of 'take'). I am unsure of the 'steps' bit.
'to rule' is the second definition.
(thesaurus)
'out' is a link.
'open' is the third definition.
The definition and answer can be both related to thinking as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe there's an association between them I don't understand?
'university' is the fourth definition.
(I've seen this before)
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for reading that I've seen before include "somewhere just off the M-four?" , "Recital" , "Interpreting text" , "Ride nag (anag)" , "Understanding the written word" .)