Ultimate aim is swilling ale to get close in party (2-3,3,3-3)
I believe the answer is:
be-all and end-all
'ultimate aim' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.
'swilling ale to get close in party' is the wordplay.
'swilling' is an anagram indicator (swill can mean to stir or swirl round).
'to get' becomes 'land' (landing is a kind of getting).
'close' becomes 'end' (I've seen this in other clues).
'in' is an insertion indicator.
'party' becomes 'ball' (ball is a kind of party).
'ale' anagrammed gives 'eal'.
'eal'+'land'+'end'='eallandend'
'eallandend' put inside 'ball' is 'BE-ALL AND END-ALL'.
'is' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Another definition for be-all and end-all that I've seen is " Supreme issue (2-3,3,3-3)".)