The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word CONNING
I've seen this crossword clue in The Daily Telegraph
C
O
N
N
I
N
G
Buddy explains!
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 CONNING mean?
CONNING verb- To study or examine carefully, especially in order to gain knowledge of; to learn, or learn by heart.
- To know, understand, acknowledge.
- To trick or defraud, usually for personal gain.
- To direct a ship; to superintend the steering of (a vessel); to watch the course of (a vessel) and direct the helmsman how to steer (especially through a channel, etc, rather than steer a compass direction).
- Reckoning