play woman and dog illustration

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

We're gonna stop you right there


Is it 'nip it in the butt' or 'nip it in the bud'? Senior Editor Emily Brewster explains.

Transcript

Sometimes a word that sounds like the right word and feels like the right word isn't actually the right word. It's an eggcorn. You don't nip something in the butt if you want to stop it before it gets worse, though, maybe that would work in some cases. No, you nip it in the bud. You figuratively pinch off the bud before it opens into a leaf or flower.

Up next

play woman and dog illustration
'Nip it in the butt' or 'Nip it in the bud'?

 

We're gonna stop you right there

play video its vs its
Its vs. It's

 

Some practical guidance, and interesting history, about a common mistake.

play mrs malaprop
What is a malaprop?

 

We'll tell you all the perpendiculars

play alright allright video
Alright vs. All Right

 

Is 'alright' all right?

play ismo merriam webster trunk boot
Some Odd Words with ISMO: "Junk in the Trunk"

 

Comedian ISMO on what separates a boot from a trunk

play video healthy vs healthful
Healthy vs. Healthful

 

Why both words are equally good for you.

play serial comma
The Serial Comma Explained

 

Why don't they call it the Merriam-Webster comma?