Cryptic crossword clue
Vulnerable at the outset before crossing German border

The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 5 letter word VERGE

I've seen this crossword clue in Independent
V
E
R
G
E

Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "border" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case border = verge.
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 VERGE mean?

VERGE noun
  1. A rod or staff of office, e.g. of a verger.
  2. An edge or border.
  3. The phallus.
  4. An old measure of land: a virgate or yardland.
  5. A circumference; a circle; a ring.
  6. The shaft of a column, or a small ornamental shaft.
  7. The edge of the tiling projecting over the gable of a roof.
  8. The spindle of a watch balance, especially one with pallets, as in the old vertical escapement.
VERGE verb
  1. To be or come very close; to border; to approach.
  2. To bend or incline; to tend downward; to slope.

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