nip in the bud

stop at the very beginning

prevent at the start They found out about the computer problem but were able to nip the problem in the bud.

Synonyms and related words:
annihilate, bereave of life, block, brake, carry away, carry off, chloroform, cut down, cut off, cut short, deadlock, deprive of life, destroy, dispatch, dispose of, do away with, do for, do to death, end, execute, exterminate, finish, finish off, get rid of, halt, immolate, kill, launch into eternity, liquidate, lynch, make away with, martyr, martyrize, nip, poison, purge, put away, put down, put paid to, put to death, put to sleep, remove from life, sacrifice, slaughter, slay, slow down, stall, starve, stay, stop, stymie, take life, take off, to