The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 5 letter word PAWNS
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
P
A
W
N
S
Buddy explains!
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 PAWNS mean?
PAWNS noun- A psychoactive preparation of betel leaf combined with areca nut and/or cured tobacco, chewed recreationally in Asia; such a preparation served wrapped in the leaf.
- The most common chess piece, or a similar piece in a similar game. In chess each side has eight; moves are only forward, and attacks are only forward diagonally or en passant.
- Someone who is being manipulated or used to some end.
- The state of being held as security for a loan, or as a pledge.
- An instance of pawning something.
- An item given as security on a loan, or as a pledge.
- A pawnshop; pawnbroker.
- To pledge; to stake or wager.
- To give as security on a loan of money; especially, to deposit (something) at a pawn shop.
- A gallery.
- (originally leet) To own, to defeat or dominate (someone or something, especially a game or someone playing a game).