Looked for the nutcracker he had hidden (6)
I believe the answer is:
hunted
'looked for' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'nutcracker he had hidden' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'he' could be 'hunt' and 'hunt' is found within the answer.
'had' could be 'd' (I've seen this in other clues) and 'd' is found in the answer.
A single letter 'e' remains which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).
'the' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for hunted that I've seen before include "Pursued or chased relentlessy" , "Pursued game" , "Pursued for food or sport" .)