The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word TAILSPIN
I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
T
A
I
L
S
P
I
N
More clues leading to the result TAILSPIN
- Frenzy follows Greek character with first sign of nephritis
- Attempts to find donkey when cycling spiral out of control
- Confusion that doesn’t have one’s head in a whirl
- A state of panic dogs Spike
- Bolt after shadows in a state of panic
- Fifty-fifty chance secure, suddenly lose control
- 50/50 chance: fix sudden descent of aeroplane
- Trackers on security code resulting in panic
- Spiral dive bothered alpinist
- Stalks cut back in downward spiral
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "a state of panic" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case a state of panic = tailspin.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 TAILSPIN mean?
TAILSPIN noun- The rapid, uncontrollable descent of an aircraft in a steep spiral.
- A severe mental or emotional collapse; emotional breakdown.
- Any sharp, sustained, often uncontrollable descent or decline.
- Of an aircraft: to go into a rapid, uncontrollable descent in a steep spiral.
- To go into a sharp, sustained, often uncontrollable descent or decline.