The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 6 letter word EATING
I've seen this crossword clue in Independent
E
A
T
I
N
G
More clues leading to the result EATING
- Eg consuming a tin?
- Radiators etc not hot? That’s worrying!
- Scoffing can be worrying
- Get in a flap at the table
- Scoffing a container of baked beans, for example?
- Tagine must be cooked for this purpose
- Having treat in Gujarati’s house
- Consuming say sandwiches at one, heartily during lunch
- Filling oneself with ecstasy with a device when husband’s away
- Mixed gin and tea for consumption?
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Scoffing/worrying" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case scoffing/worrying = eating.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 EATING mean?
EATING verb- To ingest; to be ingested.
- To use up.
- To cause (someone) to worry.
- To take the loss in a transaction.
- To be injured or killed by (something such as a firearm or its projectile), especially in the mouth.
- To corrode or erode.
- To perform oral sex (on a person or body part).
- Bred to be eaten.
- Suitable to be eaten without being cooked.
- The act of ingesting food.
- Food; cooking, cuisine.
- The act of corroding or consuming some substance.