The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 4 letter word POOR
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
P
O
O
R
More clues leading to the result POOR
- Odd bits of plot, ours, disappointing
- Proper idiots playing chicken
- Low-quality gold found by river
- Unsatisfactory track, non-starter
- Possessing little money and no gold
- Lead in Pal Joey perhaps turning up in Sorry!
- Bad men undermining work after revolution
- Odd characters in photos are said to be pitiable
- Kung Fu Panda has got gold — he can't be this ...
- Rotten bounder back chasing power
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Bad" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case bad = poor.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 POOR mean?
POOR noun- (with "the") Those who have little or no possessions or money, taken as a group.
- With no or few possessions or money, particularly in relation to contemporaries who do have them.
- Of low quality.
- Used to express pity.
- Deficient in a specified way.
- Inadequate, insufficient.
- Free from self-assertion; not proud or arrogant; meek.