Mischievous sort rejected a flyer right away with a shabby look? (4-6)

I believe the answer is:

flea-bitten

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'away with a shabby look?' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.

'mischievous sort rejected a flyer right' is the wordplay.
'mischievous sort' becomes 'elf' (I've seen this in another clue).
'rejected' says the letters should be written in reverse.
'flyer right' becomes 'bitten' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'elf' back-to-front is 'fle'.
'fle'+'a'+'bitten'='FLEA-BITTEN'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for flea-bitten that I've seen before include "Tatty - infested with parasites" , "Shabby - run-down" , "Dilapidated, shabby" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.

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