Turn out a bad scholar? (5)

I believe the answer is:

expel

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'turn out' is the definition.
(synonyms)

I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.

(Other definitions for expel that I've seen before include "Evict" , "Reject" , "Boot out" , "Drive out with force" , "Drive out, banish" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.

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