Crossword Genius

Don't work for nothing (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

earn

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'don't' is the definition.
Both the answer and definition are verbs in their base form.
Perhaps there's an association between them I don't understand?

I don't understand the remainder of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for earn that I've seen before include "Deserve; get paid" , "Gain credit from" , "Acquire through merit" , "Get (money) for work or labour" , "Acquire money by labour" .)

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