nip something in the bud

US /nɪp ˈsʌm.θɪŋ ɪn ðə bʌd/
UK /nɪp ˈsʌm.θɪŋ ɪn ðə bʌd/
"nip something in the bud" picture
1.

扼殺在萌芽狀態, 防患於未然

to stop something immediately so that it does not become a worse problem

:
We need to nip this problem in the bud before it gets out of control.
我們必須將這個問題扼殺在萌芽狀態,以免它失控。
It's important to nip bad habits in the bud.
重要的是將壞習慣扼殺在萌芽狀態