Is it so tip-top to be a boozer? (3)
I believe the answer is:
sot
'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" .)