The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word PROTOZOA
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The straight part
We know that "Low life" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case low life = protozoa.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 PROTOZOA mean?
PROTOZOA noun- Any of the diverse group of eukaryotes, of the phylum Protozoa, that are primarily unicellular, existing singly or aggregating into colonies, are usually nonphotosynthetic, and are often classified further into phyla according to their capacity for and means of motility, as by pseudopods, flagella, or cilia.
- A protozoan.