Crossword Genius

Paying chaps to stuff when it may be lunch time (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

atonement

'paying' is the definition.
(to atone is to pay for a wrong)

'chaps to stuff when it may be lunch time' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'chaps' could be 'men' (I've seen this before) and 'men' is found within the answer.
'to' is present in the answer.
'when' could be 'e' (I've seen this in other clues) and 'e' is located in the answer.
'it' could be 't' (abbreviation. e.g. in 'tis) and 't' is found within the answer.
The remaining letters 'an' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

(Other definitions for atonement that I've seen before include "Making amends" , "'Penance, redemption (9)'" , "satisfaction" , "Making good" , "reparations?" .)

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