The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word STUDYING
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
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More clues leading to the result STUDYING
- . Boss providing funds, letting secretary off for educational activity
- Regularly sits up pining, burning the midnight oil
- Son’s untidy work’s ultimately affecting learning
- University behind good man failing examination
- Considering the boss is on the way out, day is lost
- Boss has gin cocktail after end of day’s perusing
- Meditating macho-man and feminine energy merging ultimately
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "burning the midnight oil" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case burning the midnight oil = studying.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 STUDYING mean?
STUDYING verb- (usually academic) To review materials already learned in order to make sure one does not forget them, usually in preparation for an examination.
- (academic) To take a course or courses on a subject.
- To acquire knowledge on a subject with the intention of applying it in practice.
- To look at minutely.
- To fix the mind closely upon a subject; to dwell upon anything in thought; to muse; to ponder.
- To endeavor diligently; to be zealous.
- The action of the verb to study.