Cryptic crossword clue
Return batch work in unsatisfactory state 9

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

I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
T
H
R
O
W
B
A
C
K

Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "Return" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case return = throwback.
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 THROWBACK mean?

THROWBACK noun
  1. A reversion to an earlier stage of development.
  2. A person considered to be primitive, uncivilized and mentally deficient.
  3. An organism that has characteristics of a more primitive form.
  4. An atavism.
  5. A person similar to an ancestor, or something new similar to what already existed.

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