The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word LASHINGS
I've seen this crossword clue in The Daily Telegraph
L
A
S
H
I
N
G
S
More clues leading to the result LASHINGS
- They secure a great deal
- Large amounts of corporal punishment!
- Huge amounts of corporal punishment
- An abundance of beatings
- Heather’s carrying wood – a large amount
- Lots of beatings
- Lots of punishment
- End of promotions should come after flogging lots
- They secure / a great deal
- An excessive amount of corporal punishment?
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "An excessive amount/corporal punishment" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case an excessive amount/corporal punishment = lashings.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 LASHINGS mean?
LASHINGS noun- Something used to tie something or lash it to something.
- (in the form "lashings of"): plenty of
- The act of one who, or that which, lashes; castigation; chastisement.