nip (something) in the bud

phrase

informal

: to stop (something) immediately so that it does not become a worse problem

Inflation will only get worse if the government doesn't do something right now to nip it in the bud.

Examples of nip (something) in the bud in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

What in one person’s eyes is a quick nip in the bud can have lasting and devastating effects on the other’s life and well-being. — Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2025

Whining or barking while hunting is an especially thorny issue that’s critical to nip in the bud immediately. — Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 2 Feb. 2023

State Republicans want to nip in the bud the frightening prospect of a second-term Hidalgo. — Dallas News, 17 Feb. 2022

Video

'Nip it in the butt' or 'Nip it in the bud'?

We're gonna stop you right there