27 across
Start
pleading
to
swap
pub
for
one
grand
(9)
Start pleading to swap pub for one grand (9)
hints
0
checks
0
hints
The definition is at the beginning of the clue.
How the clue works
The definition is Start. Take BEGGING (pleading) and swap one G (one 'grand') for INN (pub), and you get BEG + INN + ING — job done.