The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 3 plus 5 letter word TEA PARTY
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
T
E
A
P
A
R
T
Y
More clues leading to the result TEA PARTY
- Nevertheless returned to cover separate social event
- Accepting a role finally, that one may do in the afternoon
- Conservatives still on the up, keeping separate
- Mad hatter's event in Boston?
- Do without alcohol?
- Try a paté served on this occasion?
- Still revolutionary, having a role in American political movement
- Alcoholics Anonymous pretty upset about social drinking
- Right-wing bunch that was organised by one proverbially mad?
- A political movement up till now backing nurses separately
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "do in the afternoon" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case do in the afternoon = tea party.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.