The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 4 letter word MAUL
I've seen this crossword clue in Independent
M
A
U
L
More clues leading to the result MAUL
- Obstinate person endlessly holding a hammer
- Mum starts to use low-cal batter
- Attack every other occupant of Emmanuel’s
- Male cut, receiving second in rugby scrimmage
- Name leaving Red Devils, looking initially to be one of the Hammers?
- Handle roughly 1000 gold lines initially
- Savage half of African secret society line
- Seriously injure one being carried by short pack animal
- Manual work, one leaves it for savage
- Announced place to shop for batter
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "one of the Hammers?" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case one of the hammers? = maul.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 MAUL mean?
MAUL noun- A heavy long-handled hammer, used for splitting logs by driving a wedge into them, or in combat.
- A situation where the player carrying the ball, who must be on his feet, is held by one or more opponents, and one or more of the ball carrier's team mates bind onto the ball carrier.
- To handle someone or something in a rough way.
- To savage; to cause serious physical wounds (usually used of an animal).
- To criticise harshly.
- To beat with the heavy hammer called a maul.