The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word FOOTING
I've seen this crossword clue in The Daily Telegraph
F
O
O
T
I
N
G
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Basis/paying" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case basis/paying = footing.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 FOOTING mean?
FOOTING verb- To use the foot to kick (usually a ball).
- To pay (a bill).
- To tread to measure or music; to dance; to trip; to skip.
- To walk.
- To tread.
- To set on foot; to establish; to land.
- To renew the foot of (a stocking, etc.).
- To sum up, as the numbers in a column; sometimes with up.
- A ground for the foot; place for the foot to rest on; firm foundation to stand on.
- A standing; position; established place; basis for operation; permanent settlement; foothold.
- A relative condition; state.
- A tread; step; especially, measured tread.
- A footprint or footprints; tracks, someone's trail.
- Stability or balance when standing on one's feet
- The act of adding up a column of figures; the amount or sum total of such a column.
- The act of putting a foot to anything; also, that which is added as a foot
- A narrow cotton lace, without figures.
- The finer refuse part of whale blubber, not wholly deprived of oil.
- The thickened or sloping portion of a wall, or of an embankment at its foot; foundation.
- Double checking the numbers vertically.