Crossword Genius

Contacted a branch office Liberal in charge of corporal change (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

metabolic

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'contacted a branch office liberal in charge of corporal change' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.

'contacted a branch office liberal in charge of' is the wordplay.
'contacted' becomes 'met'.
'branch office' becomes 'bo' (this could be a standard abbreviation which I don't know about).
'liberal' becomes 'l' (abbreviation).
'in charge of' becomes 'ic'.
'met'+'a'+'bo'+'l'+'ic'='METABOLIC'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for metabolic that I've seen before include "affecting body processes" , "Pertaining to chemical processes of life" , "concerning reactions in body" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app