Cryptic crossword clue
Nearly there but almost bust doing a circuit – rests are needed

The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 9 letter word BREATHERS

I've seen this crossword clue in Independent
B
R
E
A
T
H
E
R
S

Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "rests" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case rests = breathers.
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 BREATHERS mean?

BREATHERS noun
  1. Something or someone that breathes.
  2. A short break; a rest or respite.
  3. A spatially localized, time-periodic excitation in a one-dimensional lattice.
  4. That which puts one out of breath, such as violent exercise.
  5. An air inlet path to the crankcase

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