Crossword Genius

Nips up to engage in making yarn (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

spin

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'engage in making yarn' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.

'nips up' is the wordplay.
'up' shows that the letters should be reversed in order (in down clue: letters go upwards).
'nips' written backwards gives 'SPIN'.

'to' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for spin that I've seen before include "Toss" , "This doctor is a political story-polisher" , "Snip in order to rotate" , "Turn - type of New Labour doctor" , "Take a turn" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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