The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 4 letter word ANTS
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
A
N
T
S
More clues leading to the result ANTS
- Soldiers, perhaps: GI avoids huge types
- Workers possibly like collecting books
- Workers‘ tirades: “Right To Strike”
- Social workers like carrying books
- Workers restricted by arrogant seniors?
- Social workers write article on good man arising
- Workers like penning books
- Conservationists seeing that about social creatures
- First to post off knickers for soldiers
- More than one little worker raves, losing head
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "soldiers" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case soldiers = ants.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 ANTS mean?
ANTS noun- Any of various insects in the family Formicidae in the order Hymenoptera, typically living in large colonies composed almost entirely of flightless females.
- A Web spider.
- To rub insects, especially ants, on one's body, perhaps to control parasites or clean feathers.