The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 6 letter word CURFEW
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
C
U
R
F
E
W
More clues leading to the result CURFEW
- Restriction on movement of dog— nowhere near common
- Dog expressed relief, picked up when it’s time to be home
- Restrictive order requires detailed check on small number
- Restriction applied, as surly type a handful
- Not many supporting scoundrel in travel restriction
- Restrictive regulation – copper meets resistance? Hardly any?
- Not many supporting rogue measure restricting people’s movements
- Copper approaching end of tether with hardly any time to be indoors
- Fellow in fix with travel restriction
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "when it’s time to be home" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case when it’s time to be home = curfew.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 CURFEW mean?
CURFEW noun- Any regulation requiring people to be off the streets and in their homes by a certain time.
- The time when such restriction begins.
- A signal indicating this time.
- A fireplace accessory designed to bank a fire by completely covering the embers.
- A regulation in feudal Europe by which fires had to be covered up or put out at a certain fixed time in the evening, marked by the ringing of an evening bell.
- The evening bell, which continued to be rung in many towns after the regulation itself became obsolete.