Appease via drink-swilling, usually (6,2)
I believe the answer is:
soften up
'drink-swilling usually' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.
'appease via' is the wordplay.
'appease' becomes 'soften' (I've seen this before).
'via' becomes 'up' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'soften'+'up'='SOFTEN UP'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for soften up that I've seen before include "Undermine the resistance (of someone)" , "Work on" .)