nip (redirected from nipping in the bud)

be nip and tuck (American, informal)

if two people who are competing are nip and tuck, they have almost the same number of points and either of them could win. There's no saying who's going to win this game. It's been nip and tuck all the way.

See also: tuck

a nip and (a) tuck

1. a medical operation to improve the appearance of your face. I don't think you could look like that at her age without a little nip and tuck.

2. small changes or reductions made in order to improve something. A nip and a tuck in their household budget would give them the extra money they need.

See also: tuck

a nip in the air

if there is a nip in the air, the air is cold. There's quite a nip in the air. I think you'll need your jacket on.

See also: air

nip something in the bud

to prevent a small problem from getting worse by stopping it soon after it starts. The strike was nipped in the bud by some clever negotiation.

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nip something in the bud

to stop something soon after it has begun. If this problem isn't nipped in the bud, it will soon get totally out of hand.

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of nip (= to cut) and bud (= the part of a plant that develops into a flower)