nip it in the bud
Meaning(s)
1. to put reins on or put a stop to an idea or behaviour early on
Popularity
Medium
Professional
Medium
Social
How to Memorize
nip it in the bud straight away
Analysis
To 'nip something in the bud' means to suppress an idea or behaviour or to stop something from happening early on in the process. If you 'nip something in the bud' you stop something early-on in order to prevent negative effects later on. This is an idiomatic expression that can be used in a variety of contexts, social or professional.
Social Examples (Advance)
- My daughter tried to throw a tantrum in the shopping centre yesterday but I nipped in the bud straight away by threatening to take away her favourite toy.
- I was starting to put on weight so I nipped it in the bud by going on a diet and joining the gym.
Professional Examples (Basic)
- That suggestion was made already but we nipped it in the bud due to cost constraints.
- Bert was continually steering the conversation towards environmental concerns but I nipped that in the bud by showing him our new data.