The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word NITPICK
I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
N
I
T
P
I
C
K
More clues leading to the result NITPICK
- Criticise fool with a mining tool
- Delouse split hairs
- Be too fussy in jail — it’s punishment, principally
- An idiot to select carp
- Split hairs? Use a fine-toothed comb
- Fool before selection gets to criticise pettily
- Tip for cooking, stuffing cut carp
- Criticise choice under fool
- Carp one caught close to bank after pint drunk
- Be meticulous to keep a clear head
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "to criticise pettily" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case to criticise pettily = nitpick.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 NITPICK mean?
NITPICK verb- To correct minutiae or find fault in unimportant details.
- To pick nits (lice eggs) from someone’s hair.