Cryptic crossword clue
Provide funds for hunting in retreat 12

The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 12 letter word BACKTRACKING

I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
B
A
C
K
T
R
A
C
K
I
N
G

Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "in retreat" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case in retreat = backtracking.
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 BACKTRACKING mean?

BACKTRACKING verb
  1. To retrace one's steps.
  2. To repeat or review work already done.
  3. To taxi down an active runway in the opposite direction to that being used for takeoff.
  4. To exercise a racehorse around the racetrack in the opposite direction to that in which races are run.
BACKTRACKING noun
  1. (countable, uncountable) The act of one who, or that which, backtracks; a retracing of one's steps.
  2. The usage of a runway as a taxiway, especially at private strips and smaller airports.
  3. The act of building all possible solutions to a problem incrementally, abandoning any candidate solution if it cannot lead to a valid solution.

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