Crossword Genius

Something afoot when a drunkard embraces a sailor (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

sabot

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'something afoot' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.

'a drunkard embraces a sailor' is the wordplay.
'a drunkard' becomes 'sot' (sot can mean a drunken person).
'embraces' is an insertion indicator.
'a sailor' becomes 'ab' (abbreviation for able seaman).
'sot' enclosing 'ab' is 'SABOT'.

'when' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for sabot that I've seen before include "Wooden clog" , "Simple shoe" , "Boast (anag) - shoe" , "sole support?" , "footwear from Paris" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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