The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 3 plus 5 letter word TOP BRASS
I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
T
O
P
B
R
A
S
S
More clues leading to the result TOP BRASS
- To lead gunners, some Nazis will offer big guns
- Important people drink endlessly, having money
- Return to see supporters inside the management
- Jumpers, with underwear included, for military chiefs
- Better money for authority
- Better money for army chiefs, maybe
- Finest metal for big military wheels
- VIPs to lead artists’ society
- Important people covering items of underwear with jumpers
- What those in authority earn?
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Important people" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case important people = top brass.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.