Cryptic crossword clue
Tearful, losing heart over group’s first heavy defeat 7

The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word MAULING

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Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "heavy defeat" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case heavy defeat = mauling.
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 MAULING mean?

MAULING verb
  1. To handle someone or something in a rough way.
  2. To savage; to cause serious physical wounds (usually used of an animal).
  3. To criticise harshly.
  4. To beat with the heavy hammer called a maul.
MAULING noun
  1. An instance of something being mauled.

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