Cryptic crossword clue
A unit fell out – source of a slip? 9

The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 9 letter word FAULTLINE

I've seen this crossword clue in Independent
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Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "source of a slip?" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case source of a slip? = faultline.
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 FAULTLINE mean?

FAULTLINE noun
  1. The line formed by the intersection of the plane of a fault with the surface of the Earth
  2. (by extension) A minor split (in public opinion etc) that may develop into something larger

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