Got out of doing something (6)

I believe the answer is:

earned

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'got' is the definition.
(earning is a kind of getting)

I can't explain the remainder of the clue.

(Other definitions for earned that I've seen before include "Obtained through work" , "'Deserved, merited (6)'" , "Merited through work" , "well deserved" , "Got from paid employment merited" .)

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

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