The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 4 letter word SOUP
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
S
O
U
P
More clues leading to the result SOUP
- Bird's nest is one being very high
- It follows increase in fare
- It follows higher course to start with?
- Developer very much ahead
- It’s said to be easy, following duck in this way, scoring more
- Very good boom time for developer
- Very elated? Surely not, in this
- Developer provided success
- Very excited starter?
- Perhaps starter’s really wrong?
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Very elated? Surely not, in this" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case very elated? surely not, in this = soup.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 SOUP mean?
SOUP noun- Any of various dishes commonly made by combining liquids, such as water or stock with other ingredients, such as meat and vegetables, that contribute flavor and texture.
- Any mixture or substance suggestive of soup consistency.
- To feed: to provide with soup or a meal.
- To develop (film) in a (chemical) developing solution.
- Alternative form of sup
- Alternative form of sup
- To sup or swallow.
- To breathe out; to draw out.
- To sweep.