The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 5 letter word ROOKS
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
R
O
O
K
S
More clues leading to the result ROOKS
- Cheats and criminals caught out
- Cheats, untrustworthy types needing no introduction
- Cheats men, reversing sanctions
- Cons finally ask to wear jumpers
- Criminals being executed? They start off being first rankers
- Men on board ketch originally wearing jumpers
- Building — criminals removing roof
- Birds in castles
- Plunders castles
- Castles in the air?
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "They start off being first rankers" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case they start off being first rankers = rooks.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 ROOKS mean?
ROOKS noun- A European bird, Corvus frugilegus, of the crow family.
- A cheat or swindler; someone who betrays.
- A type of firecracker used by farmers to scare birds of the same name.
- A trick-taking game, usually played with a specialized deck of cards.
- A bad deal, a rip-off.
- To cheat or swindle.
- A piece shaped like a castle tower, that can be moved only up, down, left or right (but not diagonally) or in castling.
- A castle or other fortification.
- A rookie.
- To squat; to ruck.
- Pronunciation spelling of look.