The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 6 letter word BEHIND
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
B
E
H
I
N
D
More clues leading to the result BEHIND
- The bum’s late with the payment
- For greeting, bow to each side
- Losing tie, I'm sorry to have got involved
- He turns up in tie, late
- Husband at home in resting place, running late
- Bow to convey greeting — backside becomes visible!
- In the sack, husband hot for booty
- Past husband, one wearing bow
- Losing seat
- Husband’s at home, tucked in bed — it’s late
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "late" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case late = behind.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 BEHIND mean?
BEHIND noun- The rear, back-end
- Butt, the buttocks, bottom
- A one-point score.
- (1800s) The catcher.
- In the Eton College field game, any of a group of players consisting of two "shorts" (who try to kick the ball over the bully) and a "long" (who defends the goal).
- At the back part; in the rear.
- Toward the back part or rear; backward.
- Overdue, in arrears.
- Slow; of a watch or clock.
- Existing afterwards
- Backward in time or order of succession; past.
- Behind the scenes in a theatre; backstage.
- Not yet brought forward, produced, or exhibited to view; out of sight; remaining.
- At the back of; positioned with something else in front of.
- To the back of.
- After, time- or motion-wise.
- Responsible for
- In support of.
- Left a distance by, in progress or improvement; inferior to.
- As a result or consequence of