Smart alecks suppress story (4)

I believe the answer is:

tale

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

'story' is the definition.
(I know that story can be written as tale)

'smart alecks suppress' is the wordplay.
'TALE' is hidden in amongst the letters.
However, I'm uncertain how this is indicated.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for tale that I've seen before include "Narrative - fabrication" , "Story or anecdote" , "'Story, narrative (4)'" , "Fable" , "A story, perhaps out of school" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.

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