at bay

phrase

: 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 figuratively

The 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

The bundle also includes four torches to keep the bugs at bay. — Amber Harding Outkick, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2026

So, Murdoch and MacKenzie dispatched me to New York to keep the poachers at bay. — Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 2 Sep. 2026

In an Investigation, Details Matter • Reacher’s trick of relying on math to keep panic at bay has its limits. — Chris Klimek, Vulture, 2 Sep. 2026

Advanced robotics and a rapid rollout of AI should counter the shrinking workforce, while creating enough new jobs to keep youth disaffection at bay. — Ben Bland, semafor.com, 1 Sep. 2026

Rhymes for at bay

• airway
• allay
• archway
• array
• ashtray
• assez
• astray
• aue
• away
• ballet
• belay
• beltway