Well, this is a “cryptic crossword” clue, which is of a different form than what we mostly see in the States. Cryptic crossword clues are canonically in two parts. There is a definition and wordplay. (Of course there are exceptions. Aren’t there always? But this isn’t one of them.)
Spoilers:
In this case “could be a nightmare” serves as the definition. “When tot swallows drug” is the word play - if you remember that in Britain a tot can be a bit of a drink, such as DRAM, and the drug Ecstasy can be abbreviated E. DRAM swallows E for the answer, DREAM.
That explanation was probably clear as mud. I have only recently started learning cryptic crosswords and I enthusiastically suck at them. For a decent explanation, find a true aficionado. :)
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Spoilers:
In this case “could be a nightmare” serves as the definition. “When tot swallows drug” is the word play - if you remember that in Britain a tot can be a bit of a drink, such as DRAM, and the drug Ecstasy can be abbreviated E. DRAM swallows E for the answer, DREAM.
That explanation was probably clear as mud. I have only recently started learning cryptic crosswords and I enthusiastically suck at them. For a decent explanation, find a true aficionado. :)