Escape from a scuffle, exhausted (4)
I believe the answer is:
flee
'escape' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'from a scuffle exhausted' is the wordplay.
'from' indicates the answer is hidden within the clue.
'FLEE' can be found hidden inside 'scuffle exhausted'.
(Other definitions for flee that I've seen before include "rush" , "head for the hills" , "Run quickly away" , "Do a runner" , "Turn tail" .)