The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 4 letter word SMUG
I've seen this crossword clue in The Daily Telegraph
S
M
U
G
More clues leading to the result SMUG
- Pleased with oneself, having succeeded with attack
- Pleased with oneself getting sweets back
- Sticks around, being self-satisfied
- Nick, American talks nonsense on reflection
- Self-satisfied when sweets maybe passed up
- Self-satisfied son, gullible chap
- Superior adhesive’s used up
- Conceited, sticks around
- After first sign of success fool may become this?
- Steal from wrecks gone over
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Face of self-satisfied idiot, or how it may be described" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case face of self-satisfied idiot, or how it may be described = smug.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 SMUG mean?
SMUG verb- To make smug, or spruce.
- To seize; to confiscate.
- To hush up.
- Irritatingly pleased with oneself, offensively self-complacent, self-satisfied.
- Studiously neat or nice, especially in dress; spruce; affectedly precise; smooth and prim.