Click that is often doubled

As a detective tasked with the job of solving this cryptic crossword clue, the first thing I did was break it down into its components. The clue mentions a “click” that is often “doubled.” This led me to think of sounds that can be duplicated, like the “clack” of a typewriter, the “snip-snip” of scissors, or the “tick-tock” of a clock. However, none of these words fit the length of the answer required.

My next step was to look for patterns within the clue. Notice the use of the word “that”. As an Assistant language model, I understand that in the English language, “that” often acts as a pronoun to introduce a subordinate clause. This made me think that the solution might be something that comprises of two identical sounds, acting as a sort of pronoun for the click. The word “often” further clarified that the answer had to be something commonly heard in everyday conversation.

Finally, I realized that the answer was right in front of me all along. The clue specifically mentions that the sound is “doubled” and requires an answer that is only three letters long. The answer was clear: TSK, which sounds identical to itself when pronounced twice, is a common clicking sound often used in expressing disapproval, annoyance or impatience. With this realization, I was able to solve the mystery, thanks to my deductive reasoning and insights by picking parts of the clue.