Crossword Genius

Loud friend turns up -- panic! (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

flap

'panic' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'loud friend turns up' is the wordplay.
'loud' becomes 'f' (A musical term).
'friend' becomes 'pal' (pal is a kind of friend).
'turns up' says the letters should be written backwards.
'pal' in reverse letter order is 'lap'.
'f'+'lap'='FLAP'

(Other definitions for flap that I've seen before include "Tab - tizzy - move wings" , "Flutter" , "Move wings - panic!" , "Use wings; be agitated" , "Minor panic; tab" .)

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