Crossword Genius

Is it so tip-top to be a boozer? (3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

sot

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

'a boozer?' is the definition.
(boozer is a kind of sot)

'is it so tip-top' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'it' could be 't' (abbreviation. e.g. in 'tis) and 't' is found within the answer.
'so' is within the answer.
This accounts for all the letters.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

'to be' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for sot that I've seen before include "drunk" , "One's often intoxicated" , "A chronic drinker" , "Habitual drinker" , "Lush" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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