When shot, will it dash off? (4)
I believe the answer is:
bolt
'dash off?' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'when shot will it' is the wordplay.
'when shot will' becomes 'bol' (I can't explain this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'it' becomes ''t' (abbreviation. e.g. in 'tis).
'bol'+'t'='BOLT'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for bolt that I've seen before include "From the blue, it's a great surprise" , "eat food quickly and > lock up" , "Short arrow for a crossbow" , "Run away; fasten (door)" , "A . . . . from the blue is a complete surprise" .)