Cryptic crossword clue
Rash idea involved taking hold of live terminals 9

The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 9 letter word RAILHEADS

I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
R
A
I
L
H
E
A
D
S

Buddy explains!

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

RAILHEADS noun
  1. A point on a railway system where goods are loaded, unloaded or transferred to other transport.
  2. The furthest point on a railroad/railway under construction to which rails have been laid.
  3. The top surface (head) of a rail.
  4. An area of hostile territory at the end of a rail line that, when captured, serves for the continuous movement into position of further troops and material.

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