The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 4 letter word TONS
I've seen this crossword clue in Independent
T
O
N
S
Buddy explains!

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 TONS mean?
TONS noun- A unit of weight (mass) equal to 2240 pounds (a long ton) or 2000 pounds (a short ton) or 1000 kilograms (a metric ton).
- A unit of volume; register ton.
- In refrigeration and air conditioning, a unit of thermal power defined as 12,000 BTU/h (about 3.514 kW or 3024 kcal/h), originally the rate of cooling provided by uniform isothermal melting of one short ton of ice per day at 32 °F (0 °C).
- A large amount.
- A speed of 100 mph.
- One hundred pounds sterling.
- One hundred runs.
- (etc.) One hundred points scored.
- The common tunny, or horse mackerel.
- Lots; large quantities or numbers (of people or things).