What does the cryptic crossword clue "Chief ought to tumble before anything else (5,2,3)" mean?

The definition is "before anything else". The wordplay uses a charade (building blocks). FIRST (synonym="Chief") + O (first_letter="ought") + FALL (synonym="tumble") = FIRSTOFALL; definition: "before anything else" The answer is FIRSTOFALL.

Chief ought to tumble before anything else (5,2,3)

Guardian Cryptic #27616 | 22 Across | 2018-09-17 flower

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