The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 6 letter word CLUTCH
I've seen this crossword clue in The Sunday Telegraph
C
L
U
T
C
H
More clues leading to the result CLUTCH
- Eggs — one of three stepped on in car?
- Result of laying hold firmly
- Pedal car has scored, entertaining 50 children!
- Hold on to some chicks?
- Eggs used for a change?
- Loose group to take firmly in hand
- Firm grasp needed to operate the gears
- Seize brood of chickens
- Sort of bag used for eggs
- Keep tight grip on mechanism controlling engine
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Keep tight grip on/mechanism controlling engine" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case keep tight grip on/mechanism controlling engine = clutch.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 CLUTCH mean?
CLUTCH noun- The claw of a predatory animal or bird.
- (by extension) A grip, especially one seen as rapacious or evil.
- A device to interrupt power transmission, commonly used to separate the engine and gearbox in a car.
- The pedal in a car that disengages power and torque transmission from the engine (through the drivetrain) to the drive wheels.
- Any device for gripping an object, as at the end of a chain or tackle.
- A small handbag or purse with no straps or handle.
- To seize, as though with claws.
- To grip or grasp tightly.
- A brood of chickens or a sitting of eggs.
- A group or bunch (of people or things).
- To hatch.
- An important or critical situation.
- Performing or tending to perform well in difficult, high-pressure situations.