The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 6 letter word ABSEIL
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
A
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More clues leading to the result ABSEIL
- Muscles relax, about to let oneself down
- Mariner’s story about halting descent
- Mountaineer’s descent needs muscles — after which rest up
- Is able to reconfigure descent
- Hopelessly blasé outwardly, I let myself down
- Is able, stupidly, to let oneself down
- Get that sinking feeling as tummy muscles contracted? Flipping pork pie!
- Sailor reportedly put off getting rope down
- Lower oneself using muscles then lie back
- Withdraw story after six-pack, and make a rapid climbdown
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The straight part
We know that "to let oneself down" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case to let oneself down = abseil.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 ABSEIL mean?
ABSEIL noun- A descent in mountaineering using a rope looped at the top and a friction device.
- To descend a steep or vertical drop using a rope with a mechanical friction device or (classic abseil) by wrapping the rope around the body; to rappel.