The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 4 letter word RUSE
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
R
U
S
E
More clues leading to the result RUSE
- Scam about to take us in
- Cunning employer, last character to come forward
- Scheme Aussie natives announced
- Addict, wrinkled, with no inner energy
- Articulate bounder’s trick
- Heard about jumper’s trick
- Trick queen over exploit
- Republican to employ stratagem
- Odoriferous plant secures second trick
- Druggie’s back to front dodge
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Scheme" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case scheme = ruse.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 RUSE mean?
RUSE noun- A turning or doubling back, especially of animals to get out of the way of hunting dogs.
- (by extension) An action intended to deceive; a trick.
- Cunning, guile, trickery.
- To deceive or trick using a ruse.
- Of an animal: to turn or double back to elude hunters or their hunting dogs.