at bay
idiom
: in the position of being unable to move closer while attacking or trying to approach someone
—used with keep or hold
The soldiers kept the attackers at bay.
—often used figurativelyThe doctors have been able to keep her illness at bay for several months.
Examples of at bay in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Here, Vater and Mary Phillips, Head of Native Plant Habitat Strategy/Certifications at the National Wildlife Federation, share all the details on the right time (and right way) to banish your weeds—and keep them at bay during your next vacation.
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Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 12 Dec. 2025
Nothing could keep her hives and angioedema at bay for more than a few days.
—Diane Herbst, PEOPLE, 12 Dec. 2025
The construction boom initiated by Florida developers during the pandemic has also now resulted in a glut of inventory that is keeping price increases at bay, if not forcing price declines.
—Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025
Aguirre agrees, noting that a regular trim can help improve the overall health of your hair and keep damage, breakage, and split ends at bay.
—Danielle Sinay, Glamour, 9 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for at bay
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Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 12 Dec. 2025
Nothing could keep her hives and angioedema at bay for more than a few days.
—Diane Herbst, PEOPLE, 12 Dec. 2025
The construction boom initiated by Florida developers during the pandemic has also now resulted in a glut of inventory that is keeping price increases at bay, if not forcing price declines.
—Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025
Aguirre agrees, noting that a regular trim can help improve the overall health of your hair and keep damage, breakage, and split ends at bay.
—Danielle Sinay, Glamour, 9 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for at bay
Cite this Entry
“At bay.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/at%20bay. Accessed 17 Dec. 2025.
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