Nip it in the bud

The phrase "nip it in the bud" means to act or stop something at an early stage, before it develops into a more serious or bigger problem. It refers to the act of removing or cutting off something when it is still small or in its earliest stages of growth, thus preventing it from growing further or causing more harm. It is derived from gardening, where plants are often pruned by cutting off buds to prevent them from growing into branches or flowers.