Cryptic crossword clue
Balls developed, then got too big 8

The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word OVERGREW

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

The straight part
We know that "got too big" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case got too big = overgrew.
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 OVERGREW mean?

OVERGREW verb
  1. To grow beyond one's boundaries or containment, or beyond the proper size.
  2. To grow over; (of one thing) to cause (a second thing) to become overgrown (with or by the first thing).

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