Cross Swords with those characters from drinks party (4)
I believe the answer is:
spar
'cross swords' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'from drinks party' is the wordplay.
'from' indicates a hidden word.
'SPAR' is hidden within 'drinks party'.
'with those characters' is the link.
I am not very happy about this link. Some or all of it may be part of another bit of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for spar that I've seen before include "Box - girder" , "Box in training - mineral" , "Pole used in rigging - fight" , "Box (gently) - fight (verbally)" , "Engage in argument" .)