The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 12 letter word FREE-FOR-ALL
I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
F
R
E
E
-
F
O
R
-
A
L
L
More clues leading to the result FREE-FOR-ALL
- Unruly argument in open discussion meetings with Liberal left
- . Chaotic argument nobody needed to settle?
- Fight to get charge withdrawn following French exam online
- Big fight that no-one needs a subscription to watch
- Fight, or quickly drop to the ground for cover
- Fight to keep the NHS so?
- Contest open to anybody – no entry fee?
- A fight, but nobody is charged
- Brawl with nobody facing charges?
- Go down to arrest men after bar brawl
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Contest open to anybody/no entry fee" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case contest open to anybody/no entry fee = free-for-all.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 FREE-FOR-ALL mean?
FREE-FOR-ALL noun- Chaos; a chaotic situation lacking rules or control.
- Deathmatch, sometimes specifically one in which every player is pitted against all the others.