The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 9 letter word DISMANTLE
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
D
I
S
M
A
N
T
L
E
More clues leading to the result DISMANTLE
- Take down girl’s garment
- Take down books with rotten binding before end of sale
- Pull apart largely dreary books on the French
- Pull apart largely depressing books on the French
- Having admitted time in Holland, suspect is made
- … separate detective’s partner talked oddly
- Break down seeing detective’s meeting with hood
- Destroy detective's cover
- Demolish testament in dreadful tirade, ultimately
- Take apart dreary books in English
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Take down" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case take down = dismantle.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 DISMANTLE mean?
DISMANTLE verb- To divest, strip of dress or covering.
- To remove fittings or furnishings from.
- To take apart; to disassemble; to take to pieces.