The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 2 plus 1 plus 4 letter word AT A PUSH
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
A
T
A
P
U
S
H
More clues leading to the result AT A PUSH
- Martha occasionally accompanying American in pub, if necessary
- Only just about accepted pressure in can
- With difficulty, install bug in Austrian hotel
- Where button activated with difficulty
- Bug dug centrally in timber if really required
- Where absolutely necessary answer cheers press
- Bathroom accessory’s available in gold, mum, if really necessary
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "if necessary" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case if necessary = at a push.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.