Crossword Genius

Difficult offer (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

killer

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

'offer' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I cannot understand how one could define the other.

'difficult' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'difficult' could be 'ill' (ill could historically mean difficult) and 'ill' is located in the answer.
The remaining letters 'ker' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for killer that I've seen before include "Slaughterer" , "Hilarious joke" , "great joke?" , "criminal?" , "executioner called for?" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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