The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 4 letter word TOPE
I've seen this crossword clue in The Daily Telegraph
T
O
P
E
More clues leading to the result TOPE
- Habitually drink tea, mostly outside work
- Drink first-class champagne ultimately
- Smart operator hoarding booze
- Work in tea cropping advanced plantation
- Finest English drink
- Lush plantation
- Booze off limits to birth control enthusiast
- High note needs drink
- What heavy drinker does to exercise
- To exercise and drink like a fish?
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "What heavy drinker does" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case what heavy drinker does = tope.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.
What does TOPE mean?
TOPE verb- To drink excessively; to get drunk.
- A small, grey, European shark, Galeorhinus galeus, that has rough skin and a long snout.
- A grove of trees.
- A mound-like Buddhist sepulchre, or memorial monument, often erected over a relic; a stupa.