Cryptic crossword clue
Cut handle off and opened 9

The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 9 letter word UNLATCHED

I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
U
N
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A
T
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D

Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "opened" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case opened = unlatched.
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 UNLATCHED mean?

UNLATCHED verb
  1. Remove from a latch
UNLATCHED adjective
  1. Of a gate, etc, not latched, or that has been unlatched.

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