The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 5 letter word THUMP
I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
T
H
U
M
P
More clues leading to the result THUMP
- Strike that has union members protesting, initially
- Add penny to last of cash in pot to reach pound
- Batter in a sulk after he’s out
- Hit hard in belly with power
- High time rising upper class politician gets beat
- Sock smell in teepee
- Punch end of recalcitrant camel’s protruberance
- Time to carry blow
- Strike head of teddy bear
- Something digital, mostly with quiet beat
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Punch" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case punch = thump.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 THUMP mean?
THUMP noun- A blow that produces a muffled sound.
- The sound of such a blow; a thud.
- Used to replace the vulgar or blasphemous element in "what the hell" and similar phrases.
- To hit (someone or something) as if to make a thump.
- To cause to make a thumping sound.
- To thud or pound.
- To throb with a muffled rhythmic sound.