The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 11 letter word COCK-A-HOOP
I've seen this crossword clue in Independent
C
O
C
K
-
A
-
H
O
O
P
More clues leading to the result COCK-A-HOOP
- Bird with a ring, displaying elation
- Put up with a band on cloud nine
- Raise a ring, ecstatic
- Dog, reportedly, and bear launched over the moon
- Mate joining ace band pleased as Punch
- In a state of elation, strutting leader fronting a band
- Very happy bird with a ring
- Pleased to pawn a pen for Spooner
- Hack off foremost of oenophiles, tucking into supermarket bubbly
- Happy Henry wasting time immersed in parrot pee
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "pleased as Punch" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case pleased as punch = cock-a-hoop.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 COCK-A-HOOP mean?
COCK-A-HOOP adjective- Exultant, very happy, triumphant.