The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word HEIGH-HO
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
H
E
I
G
H
-
H
O
More clues leading to the result HEIGH-HO
- Stoned outside English house — expression of resignation follows
- Sigh when High Horse waywardly runs outsiders off
- Expressing surprise at getting man high, dancing at ball
- Oh my, the guy I leave with — boring couple of hours
- Joyous shout from man getting high somehow over nothing
- I’m bored of drug-laden drunk husband attached to nothing
- Oh dear, less effective tool than a pitchfork, by the sound of it?
- I’m bored hearing of dry grass and weed
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Oh dear" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case oh dear = heigh-ho.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 HEIGH-HO mean?
HEIGH-HO noun- Colaptes auratus, northern flicker.
- To chant "heigh-ho".
- Used as a cadence-count used for synchronized walking, marching, pulling, lifting, etc.
- Oh well; a usually light-hearted dismissal or acceptance of a troublesome situation