nip in the bud
Stop before spreading
To nip something in the bud is to stop it at an early stage before it can develop or spread.
The image is from gardening—pinching off a bud prevents the flower or branch from growing.
We need to nip this problem in the bud before it gets worse.
Often mistakenly rendered as "nip in the butt."
forestall
Prevent by prior action
obviate · curtail · stifle · suppress · quash · deter · inhibit · restrain · circumvent · ward off
- Garden Sayingsmake hay, plant seeds, bed of roses, harvest time, till the soil
- gardening termsgrowing, blooming, wilting, pruning, grafting
- farm idiomsmake hay while the sun shines, cream of the crop, put the cart before the horse, till the cows come home, buy the farm
- obstructblock, halt, stop, impede, hinder
- Budsbud, flower bud, leaf bud, rose bud, rosebud
- initiativetake action, taking initiative, go for it, initiating, take the lead
nip in the budtoo little too late
Insufficient and belated remedy
a day late and a dollar short · fight a losing battle · put out fires · play catch-up · after the fact
nip in the budnurture
Support growth and development
cultivate · encourage · foster · let nature take its course · turn a blind eye
budding, buds, nipping, budded, nipped, nipper, nippers, budlike