The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word TOWARDS
I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
T
O
W
A
R
D
S
More clues leading to the result TOWARDS
- What comes before the end of the morning, in Frayn’s story including newspaper crosswords
- In the direction of where nurses often go
- Where inpatients are taken, just before
- Artists draw others partly upset in regarding
- Near sign in hospital?
- Regarding message on hospital sign?
- Nearing time, duck fight with gutless drunks
- Near to hospital rooms
- Moving closer to drunkard from behind to protect minor
- Almost starts to take other rooms
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "just before" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case just before = towards.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 TOWARDS mean?
TOWARDS preposition- In the direction of.
- In relation to (someone or something).
- For the purpose of attaining (an aim).
- Located close to; near (a time or place).
- Near; at hand; in state of preparation; toward.
- In the direction of something (indicated by context).