The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word LOCKOUT
I've seen this crossword clue in The Daily Telegraph
L
O
C
K
O
U
T
More clues leading to the result LOCKOUT
- Mark end of work, ignoring top management’s action against employees
- Join together to expose employer’s tactic
- Hair not properly arranged may mean exclusion from work
- Leave work heading off for bar
- Bosses’ exclusion of yob that’s drunk wine, wasting hours
- Exclusion from place of work as rugby player dismissed
- Key operation for bosses wanting to keep control?
- Rugby player not selected when hands don’t work?
- Hair no longer fashionable may upset the workers
- Boor overpowers officer as work ends, to strike
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Key operation for bosses wanting to keep control" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case key operation for bosses wanting to keep control = lockout.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 LOCKOUT mean?
LOCKOUT noun- The opposite of a strike; a labor disruption where management refuses to allow workers into a plant to work even if they are willing.
- The action of installing a lock to keep someone out of an area, such as eviction of a tenant by changing the lock.
- (by extension) The exclusion of others from a certain place or situation.
- A situation where the system is not responding to input.
- A safety device designed to prevent touching a moving part when it is under operation.
- The final portion of a weightlifting motion where all applicable limbs or joints are fully extended or "locked out".
- An exercise meant to increase strength in the lockout portion of a lifting motion.