Crossword Genius

Party leader, the last type you'd expect to go on the tear (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

carouser

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'go on the tear' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't understand how one could define the other.

'party leader the last type you'd expect' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'party' could be 'carouse' (I've seen this before) and 'carouse' is found in the answer.
A single letter 'r' remains which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This may be the basis of clue (or it may be nonsense).

'to' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for carouser that I've seen before include "Noisy reveller" , "he does enjoy a drink" , "He's living it up, a party animal" , "noisy drinker" , "this one will drink a lot" .)

I've seen this clue in the Irish Times (Crosaire) and the Irish Times.
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