Middlemen dead tired at the foundation or in high spirits? (6)
I believe the answer is:
elated
'in high spirits?' is the definition.
('elated' can be similar in meaning to 'in high spirits')
'middlemen dead tired at the foundation' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'dead' could be 'late' (similar in meaning) and 'late' is found in the answer.
The remaining letters 'ed' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This explanation may well be incorrect...
'or' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for elated that I've seen before include "Exultant" , "Cock-a-hoop" , "In very high spirits, really chuffed" , "Gleeful" , "Ecstatically happy" .)