The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 6 letter word DESERT
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
D
E
S
E
R
T
More clues leading to the result DESERT
- Walk out on expanse of land without water
- Something sandy or maroon?
- What's just sweet to the ear?
- Abandon desolate area
- Abandon waste
- Wilderness of chopped up dead trees
- Leave area without vegetation
- Leave last of apples out of pudding
- Leave pudding son heartily rejected
- Leave behind a land with limited opportunity for growth
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Leave behind/a land with limited opportunity for growth" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case leave behind/a land with limited opportunity for growth = desert.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 DESERT mean?
DESERT noun- (usually in the plural) That which is deserved or merited; a just punishment or reward
- A barren area of land or desolate terrain, especially one with little water or vegetation; a wasteland.
- Any barren place or situation.
- Usually of a place: abandoned, deserted, or uninhabited.
- To leave (anything that depends on one's presence to survive, exist, or succeed), especially when contrary to a promise or obligation; to abandon; to forsake.
- To leave one's duty or post, especially to leave a military or naval unit without permission.