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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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

Dictionary Entries Near nip (something) in the bud

nip slip

nip (something) in the bud

nipt

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 24 Dec. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!