Deplore pay scale for top management? (8)
I believe the answer is:
execrate
'deplore' is the definition.
(execrating is a kind of deploring)
'pay scale for top management?' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'pay' could be 'rate' (I've seen this in other clues) and 'rate' is found within the answer.
The remaining letters 'exec' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This explanation may well be incorrect...
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for execrate that I've seen before include "Utter curses with erect axe" , "Feel great loathing for" , "hate" , "Loudly disapprove" , "Express hatred for" .)