Warning sign from mostly tough heavy drinker (9)
I believe the answer is:
harbinger
'warning sign from mostly tough heavy drinker' is the definition.
'harbinger' can be an answer for 'warning' (I've seen this before). I am not sure about the 'sign from mostly tough heavy drinker' bit.
'mostly tough heavy drinker' is the wordplay.
'mostly' means to remove the last letter.
'tough' becomes 'hard' (associated in meaning).
'heavy drinker' becomes 'binger' (someone who binges).
'hard' with its last letter taken away is 'har'.
'har'+'binger'='HARBINGER'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for harbinger that I've seen before include "It indicates the future" , "It signals the future" , "One announcing approach" , "sign of things to come" , "Herald - forerunner" .)