Crossword Genius

Praise being without work? Not I (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

extol

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

'praise' is the definition.
(extolling is a kind of praising)

'without work? not i' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'without' could be 'ex' (Latin) and 'ex' is present in the answer.
'not' could be 'o' (I've seen this in other clues) and 'o' is located in the answer.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

'being' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for extol that I've seen before include "celebrate" , "Praise highly, laud" , "Glorify - honour" , "Cry up" , "Praise - honour" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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