The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 12 letter word INCONSISTENT
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
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More clues leading to the result INCONSISTENT
- Popular with constituents, including female relative that’s erratic
- Determined to restrain Conservative playing fast and loose
- Determined to keep trick unpredictable
- Determined to keep prisoner blowing hot and cold
- Demanding to hold person in prison? That’s erratic
- Emphatic about corporal, say, being out of step
- One’s instinct is developed but haphazard
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "playing fast and loose" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case playing fast and loose = inconsistent.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 INCONSISTENT mean?
INCONSISTENT adjective- Not consistent: