Definition: To nip something in the bud means to stop it before it becomes a bigger problem or grows out of control.
Use case: You can use this slang when you want to stop a situation or behavior early on, before it becomes more difficult to deal with. For example, if you notice that your friend is starting to become addicted to drugs, you might tell them that they need to nip it in the bud and seek help before it gets worse. Or, if you see a small disagreement starting to escalate into a big argument, you could try to nip it in the bud by intervening and finding a solution before things get out of hand.
• We need to nip this corruption scandal in the bud before it spreads like wildfire.
• I noticed my tomato plant had some yellow leaves, so I nipped it in the bud and removed them before it spread.
• The CEO of the company knew he had to nip the negative publicity in the bud, so he issued a public apology immediately.
• I have a bad habit of procrastinating, but I'm trying to nip it in the bud and be more productive.
• When my coworker started spreading rumors about me, I knew I had to nip it in the bud and confront her about it.
• If you see your child displaying signs of bullying, it's important to nip it in the bud and address the behavior right away.