Nip in the bud Meaning in English
expression
NIP-in-thuh-BUHD
NIP-in-thuh-BUD
Definition
To stop a problem, bad habit, or negative situation at a very early stage before it develops or gets worse.
Usage & Nuances
This idiom is informal and common in both spoken and written English. Use it when you want to emphasize acting early to prevent bigger problems. Not used for physical actions; often used for behaviors, issues, or potential trouble.
Spanish: cortar de raíz - atajar de raízPortuguese (BR): cortar pela raiz - eliminar no inícioPortuguese (PT): cortar pela raiz - eliminar no inícioChinese (Simplified): 扼杀在萌芽状态 - 防患于未然Chinese (Traditional): 扼殺在萌芽狀態 - 防患於未然Hindi: आरंभ में ही रोकना - अंकुर में ही समाप्त करनाArabic: قطع المشكلة في مهدها - إيقافها قبل أن تبدأBengali: অঙ্কুরেই দমন করা - অঙ্কুরেই বন্ধ করাRussian: на корню пресечь - в зародыше остановитьJapanese: 芽のうちに摘む - 初期段階で止めるVietnamese: dập tắt từ trong trứng nướcKorean: 초기에 차단하다 - 싹을 잘라버리다Turkish: daha başından engellemek - işin başında önlemekUrdu: آغاز میں ہی روک دینا - جڑ سے ختم کرناIndonesian: memotong sejak awal - menghentikan sejak dini
Example Sentences
We should nip the problem in the bud before it gets bigger.
basic
Teachers try to nip bad behavior in the bud.
basic
It's important to nip gossip in the bud at work.
basic
If you don't nip it in the bud, that small issue could turn into a big headache.
natural
Parents often try to nip potential problems in the bud with their kids.
natural
Let's nip this misunderstanding in the bud and move on.
natural