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 figuratively
The doctors have been able to keep her illness at bay for several months.

Examples of at bay in a Sentence

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Just follow these simple steps to keep hackers at bay and your information safe. Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 11 July 2025 Fill the hot water, add a small amount of dish soap, and a disinfecting spray to repel odors and maintain bacteria at bay. Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 11 July 2025 Warren Buffett made this idea famous by comparing a company to a castle, with the moat keeping rivals at bay. Humphrey Ho, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025 Dewpoint temperatures, a measure of moisture in the air, are in monsoon territory, but a high pressure system is keeping rain at bay. Hayleigh Evans, AZCentral.com, 9 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for at bay

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“At bay.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/at%20bay. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.

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