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
To keep pungent grease smells at bay, plan to thoroughly clean your range hood, specifically the vent, every 3 to 6 months.
—
Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 2 Nov. 2025
The Blue Jays were keeping the major bats in the Dodgers’ lineup at bay for most of the game.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 2025
One tactic foresters have tried is to release wasps that feed on the beetle, keeping the pest at bay while new trees have time to grow.
—Caitlin Looby, jsonline.com, 29 Oct. 2025
The 49th parallel is the barrier that keeps all that at bay.
—Dónal Gill, The Dial, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for at bay
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Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 2 Nov. 2025
The Blue Jays were keeping the major bats in the Dodgers’ lineup at bay for most of the game.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 2025
One tactic foresters have tried is to release wasps that feed on the beetle, keeping the pest at bay while new trees have time to grow.
—Caitlin Looby, jsonline.com, 29 Oct. 2025
The 49th parallel is the barrier that keeps all that at bay.
—Dónal Gill, The Dial, 28 Oct. 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 9 Nov. 2025.
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