Crossword Genius

Bothered bit by bit, as they say (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

fazed

'bothered' is the definition.
('fazed' can be a synonym of 'bothered')

I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.

(Other definitions for fazed that I've seen before include "Disconcerted" , "Unnnerved" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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