to nip it in the bud - idiom meaning?

Question

What is the meaning of "to nip it in the bud" idiom?

Answer 1

 

Idiom Conjugations:

 

Answer 2

Gerund Form of the Idiom:

Nipping a problem in the bud usually means that the problem will not grow to be a gigantic problem.
 

Answer 3

Idiom Usage:

The form "nip it in the bud" is most common.  We make a reference to the problem or condition and then use this idiom with the third person "it" to refer to the problem or condition.
It is possible, as in the scenarios above, to use the subject instead of the pronoun - nip the problem in the bud
 

Answer 4

Idiom Scenario 2:

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A patient is visiting his doctor ...

Doctor:  "I got the results of your test back from the lab."
Patient:  "What's the news?"
Doctor:  "I am sorry to tell you but you have the very early stages of cancer."
Patient:  "Oh, no!  What can we do?"
Doctor:  "This is a treatable type of cancer and if we use very strong medicine and start right away, we can nip this cancer in the bud."
Patient:  "You mean that I will get rid of the cancer."
Doctor:  "Yes, if we treat it immediately."

Answer 5

Idiom Scenario 1:

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Two managers are talking in the offices above their factory ...

Manager 1:  "Have you noticed that the workers are taking longer and longer coffee breaks?"
Manager 2:  "I noticed yesterday when I was checking the production figures."
Manager 1:  "I think we have do do something."
Manager 2:  "Yes.  We have to nip this problem in the bud before it causes real production problems."
Manager 1:  "We are having a staff meeting this afternoon.  I will notify the workers that they must take only the ten minutes they are allowed for coffee break."

Answer 6

Idiom Definition:

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"to nip it in the bud"

to stop something when it is small - before it becomes a big problem
 

Synonyms: advanced, anticipate, anticipatory, before, beforehand, early, immediate, preceding, precipitant, prompt, pronto, punctual, quick, seasonable, soon, speedy
 
 

 

Literally, this picture shows the bud of a plant. If we nip the bud (cut off the bud), then the plant will not grow.