The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word TRIFLING
I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
T
R
I
F
L
I
N
G
More clues leading to the result TRIFLING
- Unimportant affair eclipses journey's end
- Somehow flirting is of little importance
- Meaningless short affair comes after endless journey
- Insignificant affair on short voyage
- Petty ménage-a-trois?
- Petty Tory leader’s sacking
- Trivial lapse almost going on to romantic affair
- What flirting around involves?
- Small time burgling
- Nice short relationship, not of significance
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "of little importance" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case of little importance = trifling.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 TRIFLING mean?
TRIFLING noun- The act of one who trifles; frivolous behaviour.
- Trivial, or of little importance.
- Idle or frivolous.
- Of suspicious character, typically secretive or deceitful; shady.