nɪp ˈsʌmθɪŋ ɪn ðə bʌd
Nature & Weather
neutral
intermediate
- Literally:
- To remove a bud from a plant before it blooms
What does "nip something in the bud" mean?
- To stop something at an early stage before it becomes worse
- To prevent a problem from developing
Examples
- We need to nip this problem in the bud before it escalates.
- Her parents nipped the bad behavior in the bud.
- It's easier to nip issues in the bud than fix them later.
Origin
From gardening—removing buds prevents unwanted growth. Applied to stopping problems before they develop fully.
How to use it
Emphasizes early intervention. Common for problems, bad habits, or conflicts.
Similar expressions
stop early
prevent
cut off at the source
Opposites
let it grow
ignore early signs
let develop
Related idioms
- out of the blue
Unexpectedly; without warning
- beat around the bush
To avoid talking about the main point of a conversation
- every cloud has a silver lining
There is something positive in every negative situation
- go with the flow
To accept things as they are and adapt accordingly
- once in a blue moon
Very rarely; almost never
- tip of the iceberg
A small visible part of a much larger hidden problem
Use it in a practice answer
Try "nip something in the bud" in a CELPIP-style Speaking or Writing task. The AI feedback tells you whether your word choice worked.