The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 9 letter word OVERBOARD
I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
O
V
E
R
B
O
A
R
D
More clues leading to the result OVERBOARD
- Where chess players meet, heading for drink?
- Too far into the water
- Needing rescue after hitting the drink?
- Those in charge lifting six deliveries from the boat and into the water
- Like company chairman in need of a lifeline?
- Where food may be displayed to excess
- Film made by past directors
- Finished with directors having made a splash?
- Chair’s position in need of rescuing?
- Film of past committee
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "in need of a lifeline" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case in need of a lifeline = overboard.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 OVERBOARD mean?
OVERBOARD verb- To throw over the edge of a boat into the water.
- Outside of a boat, in the water
- Over the edge; especially, off or outside of a boat.
- Excessively; too much.