The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 4 letter word SHAM
I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
S
H
A
M
More clues leading to the result SHAM
- Pretend to be quiet in the morning
- Clumsy actor on front of stage not genuine
- Half of liquid cleansers may be fake
- Feign endless embarrassment for one’s actions
- Quiet in morning not what it seems
- Mock appeal for peace by dreamers in the centre
- Fake news’s ending bad actor
- Say nothing? Am false!
- Short chap filing hard copy
- Ultimately defines actor as one acting other than they are
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "copy" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case copy = sham.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 SHAM mean?
SHAM noun- A fake; an imitation that purports to be genuine.
- Trickery, hoaxing.
- A false front, or removable ornamental covering.
- A decorative cover for a pillow.
- To deceive, cheat, lie.
- To obtrude by fraud or imposition.
- To assume the manner and character of; to imitate; to ape; to feign.
- Intended to deceive; false.
- Counterfeit; unreal