Crossword Genius

It's in difficult roles that one maybe makes little progress (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

loiters

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'one maybe makes little progress' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.

'it's in difficult roles' is the wordplay.
'in' is an insertion indicator.
'difficult' indicates an anagram.
'roles' is an anagram of 'loers'.
'it' placed inside 'loers' is 'LOITERS'.

'that' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for loiters that I've seen before include "Waits idly" , "Hangs around" , "dawdles" , "Hangs about idly" , "Hangs about with toilers" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app