The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 4 letter word SAFE
I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
S
A
F
E
More clues leading to the result SAFE
- Out of harm's way, insane criminals
- Peter has a following in the home counties
- Subsist primarily on ghastly diet of peas in secure unit
- Act confused, failing pass
- Something that may be enclosed keeps female free from danger
- Peter, initially Simon, a symbol suggesting strength?
- Remove papers from aforementioned iron strongbox
- Alfred regularly follows Saint Peter
- Sound identical when female replaces male
- Retired thief asked to steal money box
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Peter" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case peter = safe.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 SAFE mean?
SAFE noun- A box, usually made of metal, in which valuables can be locked for safekeeping.
- A condom.
- A ventilated or refrigerated chest or closet for securing provisions from noxious animals or insects.
- A safety bicycle.
- To make something safe.
- Not in danger; out of harm's reach.
- Free from risk.
- Providing protection from danger; providing shelter.
- When a batter successfully reaches first base, or when a baserunner successfully advances to the next base or returns to the base he last occupied; not out.
- Properly secured.
- (used after a noun, often forming a compound) Not susceptible to a specified source of harm.
- Great, cool, awesome, respectable; a term of approbation, often as interjection.
- Lenient, usually describing a teacher that is easy-going.
- Reliable; trusty.
- Cautious.
- Of a programming language, type-safe or more generally offering well-defined behavior despite programming errors.