Cryptic crossword clue
Scruple from catering officer holding up army lunch's starters 5

The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 5 letter word QUALM

I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
Q
U
A
L
M

Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "Scruple/Scruple" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case scruple/scruple = qualm.
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 QUALM mean?

QUALM noun
  1. A feeling of apprehension, doubt, fear etc.
  2. A sudden sickly feeling; queasiness.
  3. A prick of the conscience; a moral scruple, a pang of guilt. (Now often in negative constructions.)
  4. Mortality; plague; pestilence.
  5. A calamity or disaster.
QUALM verb
  1. To have a sickly feeling.

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