The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word SLIPPERS
I've seen this crossword clue in The Daily Telegraph
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Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Dancing shoes" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case dancing shoes = slippers.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 SLIPPERS mean?
SLIPPERS noun- A low soft shoe that can be slipped on and off easily.
- Such a shoe intended for indoor use; a bedroom or house slipper.
- A flip-flop (type of rubber sandal).
- A person who slips.
- A kind of apron or pinafore for children.
- A kind of brake or shoe for a wagon wheel.
- A piece, usually a plate, applied to a sliding piece, to receive wear and permit adjustment; a gib.
- A form of corporal punishment where the buttocks are repeatedly struck with a plimsoll; "the slipper".
- The plimsoll or gym shoe used in this form of punishment.