Cryptic crossword clue
Downing Street’s first defence? Outstanding

The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 10 letter word SWALLOWING

I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
S
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Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "Downing" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case downing = swallowing.
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 SWALLOWING mean?

SWALLOWING verb
  1. To cause (food, drink etc.) to pass from the mouth into the stomach; to take into the stomach through the throat.
  2. To take (something) in so that it disappears; to consume, absorb.
  3. To take food down into the stomach; to make the muscular contractions of the oesophagus to achieve this, often taken as a sign of nervousness or strong emotion.
  4. To accept easily or without questions; to believe, accept.
  5. To engross; to appropriate; usually with up.
  6. To retract; to recant.
  7. To put up with; to bear patiently or without retaliation.
SWALLOWING noun
  1. The act of swallowing.

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