nip something in the bud

Значение

to stop a problem at an early stage before it grows

Остановить проблему в самом начале, пока она не разрослась.

Примеры

1. 1If a child starts telling lies, it's best to nip it in the bud.
2. 2The manager heard the gossip about job cuts and nipped it in the bud at once.
3. 3Aisha noticed a small leak under the sink and nipped it in the bud before it damaged the floor.
4. 4We need to nip this in the bud now, or every student will start using phones in class.
5. 5Why didn't the council nip it in the bud when the first few people dumped rubbish there?

Грамматика

Меняется только nip: nips, nipping, nipped. something — короткое дополнение вроде it или this.