The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 5 letter word LATER
I've seen this crossword clue in The Sunday Telegraph
L
A
T
E
R
More clues leading to the result LATER
- Sell up, leaving island subsequently
- Corrupt cartel losing capital after a while
- Roofer starting late and after some time
- After selling up I should leave
- Afterwards, roof worker loses head
- Bit of tear in material that’s about so long
- Subsequent amusement concealing expression of disgust
- Subsequent change, reversing Article 50
- Not yet? Dead right
- Coffee half-heartedly put on one side for afterwards
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Off-putting statement" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case off-putting statement = later.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 LATER mean?
LATER adjective- Near the end of a period of time.
- Specifically, near the end of the day.
- (usually not comparable) Associated with the end of a period.
- Not arriving until after an expected time.
- Not having had an expected menstrual period.
- Deceased, dead: used particularly when speaking of the dead person's actions while alive. (Often used with "the"; see usage notes.)
- Existing or holding some position not long ago, but not now; departed, or gone out of office.
- Recent — relative to the noun it modifies.
- Of a star or class of stars, cooler than the sun.
- After a deadline has passed, past a designated time.
- Formerly, especially in the context of service in a military unit.
- Not long ago; just now.
- Afterward in time (used with than when comparing with another time).
- At some unspecified time in the future.
- See you later; goodbye.