The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word CRUMPLE
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
C
R
U
M
P
L
E
More clues leading to the result CRUMPLE
- Cruel MP's unexpected collapse
- Behind calves, oddly, trousers crease
- Conservative barrister, not old, is to screw up
- Bottom in semicircle to collapse
- Cricket’s first law restricts member in crease
- Caught taking short run by umpire, having left for current run to crease
- Cold drink please, but only half that squash!
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "collapse" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case collapse = crumple.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 CRUMPLE mean?
CRUMPLE noun- A crease, wrinkle, or irregular fold.
- To rumple; to press into wrinkles by crushing together.
- To cause to collapse.
- To become wrinkled.
- To collapse.