The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 9 letter word INSOLVENT
I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
I
N
S
O
L
V
E
N
T
More clues leading to the result INSOLVENT
- Poor novel isn't making you bankrupt
- Rewritten novel isn't ruined
- Five enter in water off 9, or in Queer Street
- Where one may melt things on the rocks
- Without money for home, therefore allowed to borrow against investing
- Victor breaks brassy bust
- Given fresh coat, first of vases broke
- Having brass around versus having no brass?
- What you do in pub, close to despondent bankrupt
- Very little admitted by audacious bankrupt
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "broke" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case broke = insolvent.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 INSOLVENT mean?
INSOLVENT noun- One who is insolvent; an insolvent debtor.
- Unable to pay one's bills as they fall due.
- Owing more than one has in assets.
- Not sufficient to pay all the debts of the owner.