The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 5 plus 2 letter word STAND BY
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
S
T
A
N
D
B
Y
More clues leading to the result STAND BY
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Be ready/give support" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case be ready/give support = stand by.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 STAND BY mean?
STAND BY noun- A state of readiness without immediate involvement; remaining in preparation for (a sudden or unforeseen event or situation).
- Sleep mode
- (travel) Waiting at the airport in the hope of getting a seat on a flight that is already booked out.
- Something that is standard, well-tested, or frequently used.