Not quite the way to put to flight! (4)
I believe the answer is:
rout
'put to flight' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'not quite the way' is the wordplay.
'not quite' means to remove the last letter.
'the way' becomes 'route' (route is a kind of way).
'route' with its last letter taken away is 'ROUT'.
'to' is the link.
(Other definitions for rout that I've seen before include "Total(ly) defeat" , "Send fleeing" , "Devastating defeat" , "Headlong flight" , "Completely defeat" .)