The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 9 letter word FLASHBULB
I've seen this crossword clue in The Daily Telegraph
F
L
A
S
H
B
U
L
B
More clues leading to the result FLASHBULB
- Fancy garlic, perhaps? This may have gone off with exposure
- Ostentatious sob recalled as something generating red eyes?
- One used to snap and be tearful, upset by urgent news
- Little time to cry about source of light for picture
- Instant cry raised for a source of light
- Could one throw light on future developments?
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Could one throw light on future developments" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case could one throw light on future developments = flashbulb.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 FLASHBULB mean?
FLASHBULB noun- A glass bulb that made a single bright flash for illumination during a photograph.