Question

in_the_loop_489 to stop something before it becomes big or involved; to stop something before it gets much of a start The expression compares stopping a bad situation to cutting (nipping) a flower before it has a chance to grow (while it is still a bud).

Accepted Answer

NIP (SOMETHING) IN THE BUD My three-year-old son has become rude and demanding. I don’t like his bad behavior and I’m going to nip it in the bud before it gets any worse.The boss wasn’t happy with a few of his workers who had begun to leave the office before quitting time. He was afraid they would fall into the habit of leaving early if he didn’t nip it in the bud, so he told them they would have to stop.

Id	in_the_loop_489
Idiom	NIP (SOMETHING) IN THE BUD
Definition	to stop something before it becomes big or involved; to stop something before it gets much of a start
Examples	My three-year-old son has become rude and demanding. I don’t like his bad behavior and I’m going to nip it in the bud before it gets any worse. The boss wasn’t happy with a few of his workers who had begun to leave the office before quitting time. He was afraid they would fall into the habit of leaving early if he didn’t nip it in the bud, so he told them they would have to stop.
Extra Info	The expression compares stopping a bad situation to cutting (nipping) a flower before it has a chance to grow (while it is still a bud).

Nip Bud Stop Bad Loop Big Involved Start