The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word BOTHERED
I've seen this crossword clue in The Sunday Telegraph
B
O
T
H
E
R
E
D
More clues leading to the result BOTHERED
- Got to love article on queen infiltrating plot
- Upset teacher grabbing unmarried mum
- Concerned about alternative plot
- Be hot, turning crimson and irritated
- Hot companion is extra in bed
- Spare kept in sack, poked nose in
- Annoyed old boy returning to that place died
- Was a pest of different type found in part of garden?
- Worried more after retiring, perhaps?
- Word of reassurance needs to be received by person upset
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Was a pest" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case was a pest = bothered.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 BOTHERED mean?
BOTHERED verb- To annoy, to disturb, to irritate.
- To feel care or anxiety; to make or take trouble; to be troublesome.
- To do something which is of negligible inconvenience.
- Caused to show discomposure.