Cryptic crossword clue
Catching measles, ultimately hard to shake off 8

The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word SNAGGING

I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
S
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Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "Catching" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case catching = snagging.
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 SNAGGING mean?

SNAGGING verb
  1. To catch or tear (e.g. fabric) upon a rough surface or projection.
  2. To damage or sink (a vessel) by collision; said of a tree or branch fixed to the bottom of a navigable body of water and partially submerged or rising to just beneath the surface.
  3. To fish by means of dragging a large hook or hooks on a line, intending to impale the body (rather than the mouth) of the target.
  4. To obtain or pick up (something).
  5. To stealthily steal with legerdemain prowess (something).
  6. To cut the snags or branches from, as the stem of a tree; to hew roughly.

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