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Pale due to having a fling? (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

ashy

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'pale' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'a fling?' is the wordplay.
'fling?' becomes 'shy' (shy can mean to throw).
'a'+'shy'='ASHY'

'due to having' acts as a link.
This may not be correct. Some or all of it may be part of another bit of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for ashy that I've seen before include "Leaden" , "like Cinders" , "evidence of recent fire" , "White" , "Dusty" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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