The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word RELIEVE
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
R
E
L
I
E
V
E
More clues leading to the result RELIEVE
- Take over from sappers wanting time off, say
- Little right with priest meeting temptress — take off duty!
- Spell to remember vividly, full of energy
- Take over from priest always twirling robes
- Free, about to go on holiday, it’s said
- Take over from magistrate, about 51
- To ease, go through again putting in English
- Substitute magistrate’s covering Long Island
- Free from responsibility, again experience overwhelming pleasure, finally
- Free to go through again, retaining key
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Take over from" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case take over from = relieve.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 RELIEVE mean?
RELIEVE verb- To ease (a person, person's thoughts etc.) from mental distress; to stop (someone) feeling anxious or worried, to alleviate the distress of.
- To ease (someone, a part of the body etc.) or give relief from physical pain or discomfort.
- To alleviate (pain, distress, mental discomfort etc.).
- To provide comfort or assistance to (someone in need, especially in poverty).
- To lift up; to raise again.
- To raise (someone) out of danger or from (a specified difficulty etc.).
- To free (someone) from debt or legal obligations; to give legal relief to.
- To bring military help to (a besieged town); to lift the siege on.
- To release (someone) from or of a difficulty, unwanted task, responsibility etc.
- (job) To free (someone) from their post, task etc. by taking their place.
- To make (something) stand out; to make prominent, bring into relief.
- To go to the toilet; to defecate or urinate.