All phrases › nip something in the bud
What does “nip something in the bud” mean?
Meaning, example sentence and a quick practice question.
C1
To stop a problem early, before it has a chance to grow
“It's best to nip these misunderstandings in the bud.”
From the C1 lesson Sorting It Out (solving problems).
Quick check
What does “nip something in the bud” mean?
Teaching this phrase?“nip something in the bud” is part of a ready-to-teach lesson, with a reading, three exercises, speaking tasks and an answer key, in Everyday English Chunks C1 Pack 2 (Plans, Problems and Feelings).
See the C1 lesson pack
See the C1 lesson pack
Or get all 32 lessons in the complete C1 course and save 25%.
Want to use phrases like this with confidence?Practice them in a one-to-one lesson with me, an experienced online English teacher.
Book a lesson
Book a lesson
Related phrases
- get to grips with (something)to begin to understand and deal with something difficult
- a stumbling blockan obstacle that prevents progress on something
- thrash something outto discuss something thoroughly until a solution or agreement is reached
- muddle throughto manage to complete something despite a lack of skill, information or organization
- a workarounda way of dealing with a problem without solving the underlying cause
- get to the bottom of (something)to discover the real cause or truth of a problem
- put out firesto deal with urgent problems one after another, usually reactively
- crack itto finally find the solution to a difficult problem
- sort itself out(of a problem) to resolve without anyone needing to take direct action