Wind a general up (4,4)

I believe the answer is:

near gale

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'wind' is the definition.
(near gale is a kind of wind)

I can't explain the remainder of the clue.

(Other definitions for near gale that I've seen before include "High wind" , "big wind up" , "Force 7" , "Howler" , "A seven accross [WIND] strong enough" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sunday Times and The Times.

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