Man Stopped Short, Not In Good Condition (4)

[Babs60]

Man stopped short, not in good condition (4)

[JJ109]

Ben (shor)t = Bent

[dannyk13]

Any letters Babs ?

[Babs60]

Thanks JJ109 and DannyK13 - should have included the letters I had in my question - they are D?C? so not "bent", though that could have been the right answer...

[dannyk13]

Dicy?

[aelmpvw]

what clue gives you the c?

[Lie-in King]

Dick(y) - not in good condition, stopped short (?)

[dannyk13]

Could be Dick(y)

[dannyk13]

I think comma was in the wrong place or unnecessary.

[Lie-in King]

I think the comma just adds to the sneaky surface of the clue - if my stab is right, of course - otherwise it's a stupid comma ;-)

[dannyk13]

L-i k. With the comma where it I read it as the word short refers to the man.

[Lie-in King]

Agreed, but that's part of the setter's art - to use punctuation to throw off the surface reading.

[dannyk13]

Well in my case he succeeded :-)

[Babs60]

Thank you all. I thought either "dick" or "dicy" but couldn't decide which, or indeed if correct.
aelmpvw: the 'c' comes from 8d "make rude gestures at bird, one's over recess" (my answer "cock a hoop" - "a hoop" fits with the relevant across answers)

[Mamyalynne]

Odd

That one looks like it should be

Cock a snook

[Babs60]

Thanks Mamyalynne - you are of course correct and "cock a snook" is in fact what I had for that clue. No idea where "hoop" came from as not even enough letters!
So still left with the dick/dicy dilemma....

[Mamyalynne]

I agree with - Dick(y)

[dannyk13]

Babs, go with Dick, dicy is usually spelled dicey.

[Babs60]

Thanks again Mamyalynne. Guess I'll have to wait till next Saturday to find out which is the correct one! :-)

[Babs60]

Thanks also Dannyk13 - good thought. I'll go with Dicky.

[Mamyalynne]

No thanks to me Babs, LIK got it.