Attempted promoting one, feeling exhausted (5)
I believe the answer is:
tired
'exhausted' is the definition.
(exhausted can mean very tired)
I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for tired that I've seen before include "Physically or mental weary" , "Dressed once" , "Are American cars so" , "getting bored" , "Zonked" .)