Nip sth. in the bud Put the kibosh on... Quash(现在人也说squash)

nip in the bud 消灭于萌芽状态，防患于未然

squash 压扁，打断，抑制，去除

quash 消灭 镇压 宣布无效

ingrain 根深蒂固的

put the kibosh on 阻止，制止

(s)quash the rumors

For "quash" and "squash," the key takeaways are: 1. **Quash**: - It primarily means to "annul" or "suppress" something, often used in legal contexts or to refer to putting an end to rumors, protests, or other issues. - Example: The court decision quashed the previous ruling, establishing a new precedent. 2. **Squash**: - Its primary meaning is to "crush" or "flatten," but it has been used informally to mean "stop" or "suppress," though this usage is considered non-standard by some grammar experts. - Example: He squashed the grapes to make juice. 3. **Usage Confusion**: - Due to their similar sounds, there can be confusion between "quash" and "squash," with some speakers using "squash" in contexts where "quash" would be the standard choice. - Despite being labeled as an error by some, the use of "squash" to mean "stop" or "suppress" has become widely accepted in spoken language, and some dictionaries now include this meaning. 4. **Recommended Usage**: - In formal or academic writing, "quash" is the recommended choice for meaning "stop" or "suppress" to avoid ambiguity. - In informal or spoken contexts, using "squash" in this way is generally acceptable if it is understood by the listener or reader. In summary, while "quash" and "squash" can sometimes be used interchangeably in informal contexts to mean "stop" or "suppress," "quash" is the standard and preferred term in formal writing. "Squash" is more commonly associated with physical crushing or flattening.