|
|
Nip in the budMeaningPut a stop to something while it is still in its early development. OriginThis phrase derives from the de-budding of plants. The earlier form of the phrase was 'nip in the bloom' and this is cited in Henry Chettle's romance Piers Plainnes Seaven Yeres Prentiship, 1595:
A version of the current 'bud' version of the phrase first appears in 1607, in Beaumont and Fletcher's comedy of manners Woman Hater (a title that they would probably have difficulty convincing a publishing house to use today):
Phrasefinder is also on
Tudor Phrases and Sayings - a book on the meanings and origins of the phrases and sayings that Shakespeare and Henry VIII used that we use still use every day. |
