Cryptic crossword clue
Looking sideways at one of five children wearing fleece 9

The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 9 letter word SQUINTING

I've seen this crossword clue in Independent
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Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "Looking sideways" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case looking sideways = squinting.
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 SQUINTING mean?

SQUINTING verb
  1. To look with the eyes partly closed, as in bright sunlight, or as a threatening expression.
  2. To look or glance sideways.
  3. To look with, or have eyes that are turned in different directions; to suffer from strabismus.
  4. To have an indirect bearing, reference, or implication; to have an allusion to, or inclination towards, something.
  5. To be not quite straight, off-centred; to deviate from a true line; to run obliquely.
  6. To turn to an oblique position; to direct obliquely.
SQUINTING noun
  1. The act of one who squints.

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