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
This cult-favorite face moisturizer, also a go-to among Glamour editors, is rich enough to keep plane air and desert heat at bay.
—
Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 18 Apr. 2025
That's well below the 95% coverage level that keeps diseases at bay.
—Arkansas Online, 14 Apr. 2025
The whole thing is made of double-walled stainless steel that keeps drinks cold or hot for hours and features an air-tight suction cap to keep spills at bay.
—Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 13 Apr. 2025
Regularly cleaning a pet bed will help to prevent loose fur from turning into large hairballs, and will keep odors and allergens at bay.
—Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for at bay
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Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 18 Apr. 2025
That's well below the 95% coverage level that keeps diseases at bay.
—Arkansas Online, 14 Apr. 2025
The whole thing is made of double-walled stainless steel that keeps drinks cold or hot for hours and features an air-tight suction cap to keep spills at bay.
—Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 13 Apr. 2025
Regularly cleaning a pet bed will help to prevent loose fur from turning into large hairballs, and will keep odors and allergens at bay.
—Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Apr. 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 2 May. 2025.
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