nip (something) in the bud
idiom
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
The conservative leader's allies quickly recognized da Silva's victory, the military stayed in the barracks and vigilant world leaders swooped in to offer support for da Silva and nip in the bud even the thought of anything resembling the Jan. 6 insurrection that overtook the U.S. Capitol.
—
Arkansas Online, 3 Nov. 2022
Your ability to dominate immunity challenges doesn’t help anyone but you -- and that’s a situation that newly merged tribes tend to want to nip in the bud.
—al, 13 Apr. 2022
State Republicans want to nip in the bud the frightening prospect of a second-term Hidalgo.
—Dallas News, 17 Feb. 2022
Arkansas Online, 3 Nov. 2022
Your ability to dominate immunity challenges doesn’t help anyone but you -- and that’s a situation that newly merged tribes tend to want to nip in the bud.
—al, 13 Apr. 2022
State Republicans want to nip in the bud the frightening prospect of a second-term Hidalgo.
—Dallas News, 17 Feb. 2022
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'nip (something) in the bud.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Articles Related to nip (something) in the bud
Video
'Nip it in the butt' or 'Nip it in the bud'?
We're gonna stop you right there
Dictionary Entries Near nip (something) in the bud
Cite this Entry
“Nip (something) in the bud.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nip%20%28something%29%20in%20the%20bud. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share