The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 9 letter word IMPROVING
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
I
M
P
R
O
V
I
N
G
More clues leading to the result IMPROVING
- Picking up little brat going walkabout
- Little devil wandering around, making progress
- Independent politician on tour making advances
- One rambling about politician being on the up and up
- Slormgorm is rambling about pressure going up?
- I’m turning out to be getting better
- Before demonstrating, this person is advancing
- Rising politician entrapped by one cruising
- Testing after one mile, and getting better
- Mischievous child straying? Reforming
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "making progress" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case making progress = improving.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 IMPROVING mean?
IMPROVING verb- To make (something) better; to increase the value or productivity (of something).
- To become better.
- To disprove or make void; to refute.
- To disapprove of; to find fault with; to reprove; to censure.
- To use or employ to good purpose; to turn to profitable account.
- That tends to improve someone or something (especially to educate or morally better a person).