The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 5 letter word REIGN
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
R
E
I
G
N
More clues leading to the result REIGN
- Abdicate, leaving son to rule
- Rule over shower, via speech?
- Govern Niger after revolution
- Rule, then abdicate, failing to produce son
- Rule, then abdicate, after banishing son
- Step down, freeing son to take command
- Good to be in control for this!
- What people do when in power shower, audibly
- Check about first of Georges to rule as monarch
- For the auditor, check rule
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "What people do when in power" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case what people do when in power = reign.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 REIGN mean?
REIGN noun- The exercise of sovereign power.
- The period during which a monarch rules.
- The territory or sphere over which a kingdom; empire; realm; dominion, etc. is ruled.
- To exercise sovereign power, to rule as a monarch.
- To reign over (a country)
- To be the winner of the most recent iteration of a competition.
- To be a dominant quality of a place or situation; to prevail, predominate, rule.