Tiptoes away from metropolitans as is commonplace (6)

I believe the answer is:

normal

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'commonplace' is the definition.
('normal' can be a synonym of 'commonplace')

I don't understand how the remainder of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for normal that I've seen before include "Ordinary, not unusual" , "Usual - sane" , "Popular" , "Ordinary, usual" , "Conforming to a standard" .)

I've seen this clue in the Irish Times (Crosaire) and the Irish Times.

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