We're told, escape little figure that's shabby (4-6)
I believe the answer is:
flea-bitten
'shabby' is the definition.
(flea-bitten means shabby or messy)
'we're told escape little figure' is the wordplay.
'we're told' shows a homophone (sound like).
'escape' becomes 'flee' (I've seen this before).
'little figure' becomes 'bitten' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'flee' is a homophone of 'flea'.
'flea'+'bitten'='FLEA-BITTEN'
'that's' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for flea-bitten that I've seen before include "Shabby - run-down" , "Tatty - infested with parasites" , "Dilapidated, shabby" .)