Crossword Genius

Sex up left-winger, getting exhausted (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

tired

'exhausted' is the definition.
(exhausted can mean very tired)

'sex up left-winger getting' is the wordplay.
'sex' becomes 'it' (a common euphemism).
'up' says the letters should be written backwards (in down clue: letters go upwards).
'left-winger' becomes 'red' (red can mean a leftwing person).
'getting' says to put letters next to each other.
'it' reversed gives 'ti'.
'ti'+'red'='TIRED'

(Other definitions for tired that I've seen before include "In need of rest" , "Dressed once" , "Physically or mental weary" , "Weary, jaded" , "Sleepy" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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