Crossword Genius

Place contrary drunkard with Texan regulars and begin journey (3,2,3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

put to sea

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'begin journey' is the definition.
I know nothing about this answer so I can't tell whether this works.

'place contrary drunkard with texan regulars' is the wordplay.
'place' becomes 'put' (synonyms).
'contrary' says the letters should be written backwards.
'drunkard' becomes 'sot' (sot can mean a drunken person).
'with' says to put letters next to each other.
'regulars' indicates alternate letters (letters selected at regular intervals).
The alternate letters of 'texan' are 'ea'.
'sot' written backwards gives 'tos'.
'put'+'tos'+'ea'='PUT TO SEA'

'and' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for put to sea that I've seen before include "Sail away" , "Set sail" , "start on the drink" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.
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