The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 4 letter word GREW
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
G
R
E
W
More clues leading to the result GREW
- Got larger plug rewired, partially
- Some big reward got bigger
- Brute's disposed of first wife
- ‘Cultivated‘ Greece? That’s disgusting!
- Some meagre wages increased
- Expanded, with a little work to go round
- Middle-age regret reportedly increased
- Developed
- Former monarch, we reflected, came to maturity
- Cultivated rose
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "shot up" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case shot up = grew.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 GREW mean?
GREW verb- To become larger, to increase in magnitude.
- To appear or sprout.
- To develop, to mature.
- To cause or allow something to become bigger, especially to cultivate plants.
- To assume a condition or quality over time.
- To become attached or fixed; to adhere.
- To be frightened; to shudder with fear.