Crossword Genius

Most importantly, Alan suppresses bad smell linked with meat (5,3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

above all

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

'most importantly' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'alan suppresses bad smell linked with meat' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'smell' could be 'bo' (abbreviation for Body Odour) and 'bo' is found in the answer.
'meat' could be 'veal' (veal is a kind of meat) and 'veal' is found within the answer.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for above all that I've seen before include "primarily" , "Hamlet : 'This . . . . . . . ., to thine own self be true'" , "Most importantly" , "First and foremost" , "Shakespeare: 'This . . . . . . . ., to thine own self be true'" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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