The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 9 letter word STRANGLER
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More clues leading to the result STRANGLER
- Way park-keeper restrains large murderer
- Potential killer of fish in strait and river
- Homicide drowning novice in more rum
- Star, not a person who could catch sole killer
- One who needs to get a firm grip, Labour’s leader, being in ever weird situation
- Newcomer shelters ultimately evil killer
- Violent criminal left bound by unknown person
- Murderer left, stabbing visitor
- Learner absorbed by unknown person using restraint
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "one who needs to get a firm grip" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case one who needs to get a firm grip = strangler.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.