Cryptic crossword clue
Realistic, moved fast to protect daughter and son after upset 4-5

The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 10 letter word HARD-NOSED

I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
H
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R
D
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D

Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "Realistic" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case realistic = hard-nosed.
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 HARD-NOSED mean?

HARD-NOSED adjective
  1. Guided by practical experience and observation rather than by theory
  2. Hardheaded, stubborn
  3. (of a person) tough and relentlessly practical and thus not given to sentiment.

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