Crossword Genius

Cruel guys Tom’s mistaken for bad people (4,9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

ugly customers

'bad people' is the definition.
(informal term for nasty people)

'cruel guys tom's mistaken' is the wordplay.
'mistaken' indicates an anagram.
'cruel'+'guys'+'toms'='cruelguystoms'
'cruelguystoms' with letters rearranged gives 'UGLY CUSTOMERS'.

'for' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for ugly customers that I've seen before include "Dangerous antagonists" , "must trouble a beautician" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app