Crossword Genius

Son immersed in drink is good for nothing (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

waster

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

'good for nothing' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I cannot understand how one could define the other.

'son immersed in drink' is the wordplay.
'son' becomes 's' (genealogical abbreviation for son).
'immersed in' indicates putting letters inside.
'drink' becomes 'water' (water is an example).
's' placed into 'water' is 'WASTER'.

'is' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for waster that I've seen before include "Person doing nothing of value (colloq.)" , "Layabout" , "Idler, good-for-nothing" , "Ne'er do well, profligate" , "Squanderer, profligate" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app