Crossword Genius

Half expected learner to drive out (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

expel

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

'half expected learner' is the wordplay.
'half' indicates taking half.
'learner' becomes 'l' (as in a learner driver with L-plates on their car).
'expected' with half the letters taken is 'expe'.
'expe'+'l'='EXPEL'

'to' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for expel that I've seen before include "Drive away" , "Remove from membership" , "Deport" , "Banish (undesirable alien?)" , "Kick out" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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