nip something in the bud
/ˌnɪp ˌsʌmθɪŋ ɪn ðə ˈbʌd/INFORMAL · C1
Meaning
to stop a problem at an early stage before it grows
Examples
- 1If a child starts telling lies, it's best to nip it in the bud.
- 2The manager heard the gossip about job cuts and nipped it in the bud at once.
- 3Aisha noticed a small leak under the sink and nipped it in the bud before it damaged the floor.
- 4We need to nip this in the bud now, or every student will start using phones in class.
- 5Why didn't the council nip it in the bud when the first few people dumped rubbish there?
Grammar
Only nip changes: nips, nipping, nipped. something is a short object such as it or this.
More idioms about problems and trouble
All 20 idioms and the topic quiz →a tough nut to cracka problem or person that is very hard to deal withgo pear-shapedto start to fail and turn out badlyopen a can of wormsto start dealing with something that causes many new problemsa vicious circlea situation where one problem causes another that makes the first worseface the musicto accept criticism or punishment for something you didrock the boatto upset a calm situation and cause problems
English Idioms400 idioms in 20 topics — with reviews that keep them from fading
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