Cryptic crossword clue
One leaving worried kid in tree messed around 8

The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word TINKERED

I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
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Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "messed around" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case messed around = tinkered.
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 TINKERED mean?

TINKERED verb
  1. To fiddle with something in an attempt to fix, mend or improve it, especially in an experimental or unskilled manner.
  2. To work as a tinker.
  3. To tinker with; to tweak or attempt to fix.

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