The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 5 letter word NOSED
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
N
O
S
E
D
More clues leading to the result NOSED
- Edged forward, with hooter?
- Edged forward and picked up bouquet?
- Moved slowly in Lourdes, only standing up a little
- After rejection, half-hearted offspring proceeded cautiously
- Following instinct, director proceeded carefully
- Spied for heads of national organisation, scrutinising every document
- I don’t agree with that Sun journalist getting investigated
- After promoting relative, journalist is edged out
- Boy rejected education and advanced slowly
- Cautiously proceeded to signal agreement about state’s borders
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "proceeded carefully" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case proceeded carefully = nosed.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 NOSED mean?
NOSED verb- To move cautiously by advancing its front end.
- To snoop.
- To detect by smell or as if by smell.
- To push with one's nose; to nuzzle.
- To defeat (as in a race or other contest) by a narrow margin; sometimes with out.
- To utter in a nasal manner; to pronounce with a nasal twang.
- To furnish with a nose.
- To confront; be closely face to face or opposite to.
- (in combination) Having some specific type of nose.