Cryptic crossword clue
Concerned about sweetheart dressing down 9

The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 9 letter word CARPETING

I've seen this crossword clue in The Daily Telegraph
C
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P
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Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "dressing down" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case dressing down = carpeting.
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 CARPETING mean?

CARPETING verb
  1. To lay carpet, or to have carpet installed, in an area.
  2. To substantially cover something, as a carpet does; to blanket something.
  3. To reprimand.
CARPETING noun
  1. Carpet or a piece of carpet, especially when speaking of installation or removal.
  2. Cloth or materials for carpets.
  3. A severe reprimand or telling-off.

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