Crossword Genius

Chap unfit to work on a tough paper (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

manilla

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

'a tough paper' is the definition.
'manilla' can be an answer for 'paper' (manilla is a kind of paper). I am unsure of the 'a tough' bit.

'chap unfit to work on' is the wordplay.
'chap' becomes 'man' (chap can mean a man).
'unfit' becomes 'ill' (associated in meaning).
'to work on' becomes 'a' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'man'+'ill'+'a'='MANILLA'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for manilla that I've seen before include "cigar" , "Hemp fibre" , "West African bracelet; sounds like capital of thirty across" , "type of brown paper" , "Bracelet made of metal" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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