The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word EXPOSURE
I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
E
X
P
O
S
U
R
E
More clues leading to the result EXPOSURE
- Trade fair certain to get publicity
- Partner no longer certain about river outing
- Photo of old lavatory? Yes!
- Industrial display certain to get airing
- Criminally sex up second of dossiers about openness to danger
- Erstwhile show-off lowering level of European publicity
- Recording disc certain to generate publicity
- Lack of shelter as river pours turbulently inside
- Trade fair certain to be feared by crooks
- Flashing image?
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "to be feared by crooks" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case to be feared by crooks = exposure.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 EXPOSURE mean?
EXPOSURE noun- The condition of being exposed, uncovered, or unprotected.
- Lack of protection from weather or the elements.
- The act of exposing something, such as a scandal.
- That part which is facing or exposed to something, e.g. the sun, weather, sky, or a view.
- An instance of taking a photograph.
- The piece of film exposed to light.
- Details of the time and f-number used.
- The amount of sun, wind etc. experienced by a particular site.