Crossword Genius

The early shifts, tough (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

leathery

'tough' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)

'the early shifts' is the wordplay.
'shifts' is an anagram indicator.
'the'+'early'='theearly'
'theearly' is an anagram of 'LEATHERY'.

(Other definitions for leathery that I've seen before include "like old boots?" , "Tough, wrinkled (skin)" , "as old balls?" , "rather tough" , "Like tough skin" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph and The Times.
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