Cryptic crossword clue
With spades – and getting one’s hands on – the process of building up flood defences?

The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 11 letter word SANDBAGGING

I've seen this crossword clue in Independent
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Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "the process of building up flood defences?" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case the process of building up flood defences? = sandbagging.
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 SANDBAGGING mean?

SANDBAGGING verb
  1. To construct a barrier of sandbags around.
  2. To strike someone with a sandbag or other object to disable or render unconscious.
  3. To conceal or misrepresent one's true position, potential, or intent in order to gain an advantage.

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