The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 9 letter word ACTRESSES
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
A
C
T
R
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S
More clues leading to the result ACTRESSES
- Sees cast in action, having taken on board right performers
- Players, being experts, restricting lock
- Lock tackled by expert southern players
- Players react badly with opponents on board
- Starlets in Hair start with a big number
- Lock in the experts, they’re only pretending to work
- Bill gets hair for players
- Female impersonators, when retired, can cut long hair
- Performers, very good ones covering hair
- Bill locks ladies in green room, perhaps
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "they’re only pretending to work" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case they’re only pretending to work = actresses.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 ACTRESSES mean?
ACTRESSES noun- A female who performs on the stage or in films.
- A female doer or "actor" (in a general sense).