Review the eager intern's draft email to the boss and drag the correct words to fix his potentially embarrassing mistakes.

"We need to stop this problem early and nip it in the bud. Also, for all intents and purposes, the first phase of the project is completely finished."

We need to stop this problem early and nip it in the bud.

The correct phrase is "nip it in the bud," which comes from gardening (clipping a plant's bud before it blooms to stop its growth). "Nip it in the butt" is a very common, and rather funny, misheard phrase!

Also, for all intents and purposes, the first phase of the project is completely finished.

The correct expression is "for all intents and purposes," meaning "in every practical sense." People often mishear this as "for all intensive purposes," which doesn't make logical sense.