Ignoring the odds, unmask nerd, leaving them completely exposed (5)

I believe the answer is:

naked

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

'ignoring the odds unmask nerd' is the wordplay.
'ignoring the odds' means one should take alternating letters (letters in odd-numbered positions are removed).
'unmask'+'nerd'='unmasknerd'
The alternating letters of 'unmasknerd' are 'NAKED'.

'leaving them' acts as a link.
I am not very happy about this link. Some or all of it may be part of another bit of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for naked that I've seen before include "Nude" , "Au naturel" , "In one's birthday suit" , "Starkers" , "being exposed" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.

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