nip it in the bud
- stopCease all motion
- preventStop in advance
- earlyOccurring before expected
- squashFlatten by pressure
- quashSuppress or nullify
curb · halt · snuff · stifle · squelch · crush · strangle · check · intercept · forestall · avert · preempt · seedling · sprout · weed · prune · uproot · catch
timing of intervention
nip it in the budplay catch-up
Hurry to reach others
put out fires · too little too late · fight fires · wait and see
allowing vs. preventing development
nip it in the budnurture
Support growth and development
cultivate · foster · fan the flames · encourage · feed the fire