The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 4 plus 2 plus 3 plus 4 letter word RISE TO THE BAIT
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
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More clues leading to the result RISE TO THE BAIT
- React as intended: some swimmers do
- A char, say, may react to an enticement
- Respond to provocation, as creature of the deep may do?
- Boat: is it there unexpectedly? React as intended
- To a tee, British nuts react when provoked
- Fall into a trap? Quite the opposite
- Act on suggestion of what bass may do?
- Be tempted, but risk being hooked?
- When wound up, bite as other wants it?
- What a char might do when faced with temptation?
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Respond to provocation, as creature of the deep may do?" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case respond to provocation, as creature of the deep may do? = rise to the bait.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.