Cryptic crossword clue
Something helpful that may get you into Oxford 8

The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word SHOEHORN

I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
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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 SHOEHORN mean?

SHOEHORN noun
  1. A smooth tool that assists in putting the foot into a shoe, by sliding the heel in after the toe is in place. This reduces discomfort and damage to the back of the shoe. By slipping it into the back of the shoe behind the heel, the user prevents the heel from squashing down the back of the shoe and causing difficulty; instead the heel slides down the smooth shoehorn, which then comes out easily once the foot is in place.
  2. Anything by which a transaction is facilitated; a medium.
  3. Anything which draws on or allures; an inducement.
SHOEHORN verb
  1. To use a shoehorn.
  2. To force (something) into (a tight space); to squeeze (something) into (a schedule, etc); to exert great effort to insert or include (something); to include (something) despite potent reasons not to.
  3. To force some current event into alignment with a some (usually unconnected) agenda, especially when it is fallacious.

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