The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 3 plus 7 letter word TEA SERVICE
I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
T
E
A
S
E
R
V
I
C
E
More clues leading to the result TEA SERVICE
- Problem with wickedness that may be brought to the table
- China’s problem with crime
- Problem with failing, one's fragile
- China problem – get a grip
- What might clamp puzzle in China?
- Conundrum failing the afternoon set
- Ridicule Romeo on defect in crockery
- China has problem with immorality
- Creative moves around south-east China
- American in secretive novel set in China?
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "the afternoon set" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case the afternoon set = tea service.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.