Cryptic crossword clue
Everyone’s in debt keeping lab working: it’s permitted 9

The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 9 letter word ALLOWABLE

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

The straight part
We know that "it’s permitted" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case it’s permitted = allowable.
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 ALLOWABLE mean?

ALLOWABLE noun
  1. Permitted amount or activity.
ALLOWABLE adjective
  1. Appropriate; satisfactory; acceptable.
  2. Intellectually admissible; valid; probable.
  3. Able to be added or deducted in consideration of something.
  4. Permissible; tolerable; legitimate.
  5. Praiseworthy.

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