to nip something in the bud
01
to immediately prevent something, particularly something problematic, before it has time to develop
![to [nip] {sth} in the bud definition and meaning](https://cdn.langeek.co/photo/21278/original/?type=jpeg "to [nip] {sth} in the bud definition and meaning")
Idiom
Informal
Exempel
The teacher noticed the disruptive behavior in the classroom and knew it was crucial to nip it in the bud before it disrupted the entire class.
