Cavalier's opponent getting set of drinks before leader (9)
I believe the answer is:
roundhead
'cavalier's opponent' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'set of drinks before leader' is the wordplay.
'set of drinks' becomes 'round' (as in a round of drinks ordered at a bar).
'before' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'leader' becomes 'head' (head is a kind of leader).
'round'+'head'='ROUNDHEAD'
'getting' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for roundhead that I've seen before include "Cavalier's foe" , "Old soldier" , "Supporter of Parliament during the English Civil Wars" , "Parliamentarian (hist.)" , "antimonarchist" .)