Fish that have had their fins nipped will grow them back surprisingly rapidly. A.B. saw potential in the tune and "nipped and tucked what Selena [had already done]". The insurrection, however, was nipped in the bud. They almost share a kiss, but Maggie "nipped the romance in the bud". The dog reportedly nipped at him on several occasions. This literature was, however, soon to be nipped in the bud. And in the process, illusions are sooner nipped in the bud. Upper Silesians don't resort to terrorist acts; terrorism must be nipped in the bud. The Lions nipped Kansas in the 1969 Orange Bowl and stymied Missouri the next year. The "series was almost nipped in the bud," notes Lawrence Block. Police and secret service are omnipresent; any opposition is nipped in the bud. This (Tagore-faking) needs to be nipped in the bud. Being the last person out on the track, Brian nipped Elliott Sadler's qualifying time. Flock's Oldsmobile nipped Petty's Plymouth by a mere 100 yards in the finish. In a heart-breaking loss, Kentucky nipped Illinois, 76-74.