The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 5 letter word SNAGS
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
S
N
A
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S
More clues leading to the result SNAGS
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "unexpected difficulties" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case unexpected difficulties = snags.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 SNAGS mean?
SNAGS noun- A stump or base of a branch that has been lopped off; a short branch, or a sharp or rough branch.
- A dead tree that remains standing.
- A tree, or a branch of a tree, fixed in the bottom of a river or other navigable water, and rising nearly or quite to the surface, by which boats are sometimes pierced and sunk.
- (by extension) Any sharp protuberant part of an object, which may catch, scratch, or tear other objects brought into contact with it.
- A tooth projecting beyond the others; a broken or decayed tooth.
- A problem or difficulty with something.
- A pulled thread or yarn, as in cloth.
- One of the secondary branches of an antler.
- To catch or tear (e.g. fabric) upon a rough surface or projection.
- To damage or sink (a vessel) by collision; said of a tree or branch fixed to the bottom of a navigable body of water and partially submerged or rising to just beneath the surface.
- To fish by means of dragging a large hook or hooks on a line, intending to impale the body (rather than the mouth) of the target.
- To obtain or pick up (something).
- To stealthily steal with legerdemain prowess (something).
- To cut the snags or branches from, as the stem of a tree; to hew roughly.
- A light meal.
- A sausage.
- A goal.
- A misnaged, an opponent to Chassidic Judaism (more likely modern, for cultural reasons).