Cryptic crossword clue
Playing the horn, Dad’s missing a player 5-6

The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 11 letter word SHORTHANDED

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Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "missing a player" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case missing a player = shorthanded.
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 SHORTHANDED mean?

SHORTHANDED verb
  1. To render (spoken or written words) into shorthand.
  2. (by extension) To use a brief or shortened way of saying or doing something.
  3. To write in shorthand.
SHORTHANDED adjective
  1. Lacking sufficient staff or people, as for normal or efficient operations.
  2. Having less than a quorum.
  3. (team sports) Having, or occurring during an interval with, fewer than a full complement of players, often as the result of a penalty.
  4. (of a table) Having fewer than the standard number of players.
SHORTHANDED adverb
  1. In a shorthanded manner.

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