The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word WIND-UP
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
W
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More clues leading to the result WIND-UP
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Finish/something designed to provoke" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case finish/something designed to provoke = wind-up.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 WIND-UP mean?
WIND-UP noun- The end or conclusion of something.
- A punch line of a joke or comedy routine.
- A humorous attempt to fool somebody, a practical joke in which the victim is encouraged to believe something untrue.
- The phase of making a pitch where the pitcher moves his or her arm backwards before throwing the ball.
- A circular hand gesture, supposed to represent the winding on of film, used to signal to a performer to finish quickly.
- (of a machine) Needing to be wound up in order to function.