The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word RALLYING
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
R
A
L
L
Y
I
N
G
More clues leading to the result RALLYING
- Driving competitively, squeezing teammate into roundabout, perhaps
- Friend breaking cartel is driving competition
- Motorsport getting better?
- Feature of tennis or another sport?
- Call to embrace friend doing well after illness?
- Motorsport getting better?
- Associate in arena fighting back
- Friend nabbed by gang is getting better
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "getting better" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case getting better = rallying.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 RALLYING mean?
RALLYING verb- To collect, and reduce to order, as troops dispersed or thrown into confusion; to gather again; to reunite.
- To come into orderly arrangement; to renew order, or united effort, as troops scattered or put to flight; to assemble; to unite.
- To collect one's vital powers or forces; to regain health or consciousness; to recuperate.
- To recover strength after a decline in prices; -- said of the market, stocks, etc.
- To tease; to chaff good-humouredly.
- The act of one who rallies.