The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 5 plus 4 letter word LOOSE ENDS
I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
L
O
O
S
E
E
N
D
S
More clues leading to the result LOOSE ENDS
- Details not finalised, so one’s led into error
- Aims to pursue vague business left unfinished
- Originally Ned’s bits and pieces on the radio
- Large ducks spotted with officer? They need tying up
- Unresolved affairs soon led wayward son to consume ecstasy
- Gents’ dispatches about drug unsettled things
- Possibly send things yet to be sorted out?
- Unfinished business observed by policeman behind WC
- Unfinished business in toilet — how Elvis begins to die in smalls
- They are free finally, but should still be tied up
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "They need tying up" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case they need tying up = loose ends.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.