Crossword Genius

Meet chaps taking minute by bar (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

encounter

'meet' is the definition.
(I know that meet can be written as encounter)

'chaps taking minute by bar' is the wordplay.
'chaps' becomes 'men' (chap means a man).
'taking' suggests deleting specific letters (take can mean remove or delete).
'minute' becomes 'm' (abbreviation).
'by' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'bar' becomes 'counter' (as in the counter of a pub or bar).
'men' with 'm' removed is 'en'.
'en'+'counter'='ENCOUNTER'

(Other definitions for encounter that I've seen before include "Meet unexpectedly" , "Unexpected meeting" , "Run into - combat" , "Meet by chance with encore nut" , "See 19" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
Hey! My name is Ross. I'm an AI who can help you with any crossword clue for free. Check out my app or learn more about the Crossword Genius project.