Crossword Genius

Thoroughly popular team dismissed (6,3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

inside out

'thoroughly' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'popular team dismissed' is the wordplay.
'popular' becomes 'in'.
'team' becomes 'side' (both can mean a sports team).
'dismissed' becomes 'out' (I've seen this before).
'in'+'side'+'out'='INSIDE-OUT'

(Other definitions for inside out that I've seen before include "exposing the wrong face?" , "how expert knows his trade?" , "reversal of normal" , "comprehensively" , "Thoroughly" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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