Chap gets older but copes (7)

I believe the answer is:

manages

'copes' is the definition.
('manage' can be a synonym of 'cope')

'chap gets older' is the wordplay.
'chap' becomes 'man' (I've seen this before**).
'gets older' becomes 'ages' ('age' can be a synonym of 'get older').
'man'+'ages'='MANAGES'

'but' acts as a link.

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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