The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 4 letter word AHEM
I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
A
H
E
M
More clues leading to the result AHEM
- Church music ignoring scripture? Excuse me!
- Seamstress may add one attention-seeking remark
- I want attention in the morning, man admitted
- A bit of skirt? Excuse me!
- Quiet call to notice a piece of skirt
- . Ambassador seduced by old woman from the east? I say!
- A bit of skirt that’s used to attract attention
- Attention-seeking expression in article by the Edge
- A part of dress that’s said to require attention
- A bit of skirt – excuse me!
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "that’s used to attract attention" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case that’s used to attract attention = ahem.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does AHEM mean?
AHEM noun- A use of the interjection, ahem.
- The sound of a quiet cough or of clearing one's throat
- An exclamation or cough to get attention
- An exclamation of disapproval or annoyance
- An exclamation to indicate sarcasm