The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 5 letter word AUGER
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
A
U
G
E
R
More clues leading to the result AUGER
- Who goes to Balmoral after summer month? That is boring
- Boring thing, a pistol taking head off
- Gold plate shows this, turning up tool
- Tool used in erection of fireguard
- Argue about something that’s boring
- Earth burrows in a core of turf? This bores holes
- “Wimble“, the fortune-teller’s announced
- See one that may be boring argue wrongly
- Some more guarantees over boring device
- Boring instrument gurgled now and then following a rousing intro
Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "Boring thing" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case boring thing = auger.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 AUGER mean?
AUGER noun- A carpenter's tool for boring holes longer than those bored by a gimlet.
- A snake or plumber's snake (plumbing tool).
- A tool used to bore holes in the ground, e.g. for fence posts
- A hollow drill used to take core samples of soil, ice, etc. for scientific study.
- To use an auger; to drill a hole using an auger.
- To proceed in the manner of an auger.