Dash off as the first of the strings bow and scrape (6)

I believe the answer is:

scrawl

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'dash off' is the definition.
(dash off can mean to write quickly)

I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.

(Other definitions for scrawl that I've seen before include "Hasty writing" , "Untidy drawing" , "Poor handwriting" , "write hurriedly" , "Scribbled writing" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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