The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 9 letter word SPLITTING
I've seen this crossword clue in The Daily Telegraph
S
P
L
I
T
T
I
N
G
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Divulging secrets/leaving" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case divulging secrets/leaving = splitting.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 SPLITTING mean?
SPLITTING verb- Of something solid, to divide fully or partly along a more or less straight line.
- Of something solid, particularly wood, to break along the grain fully or partly along a more or less straight line.
- To share; to divide.
- To leave.
- (of a couple) To separate.
- To (cause to) break up; to throw into discord.
- (acts on a polynomial) To factor into linear factors.
- To be broken; to be dashed to pieces.
- To burst out laughing.
- To divulge a secret; to betray confidence; to peach.
- In athletics (especially baseball), for both teams involved in a doubleheader to win one game each and lose another game.
- To vote for candidates of opposite parties.
- An instance where something splits.
- A division in the mind, or affecting one's sense of self.
- The cleavage of a covalent bond.
- Resembling the sound of something being split or ripped.
- Very rapid.
- Severe.