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
The shoe's ultra-cushioned midsole prevents hard landings and makes energy return a priority, keeping foot fatigue at bay for longer.
—
Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 28 June 2025
Cue L’Oreal Paris’ Lock It Weather Control Hairspray: It’s specifically made to keep humidity and frizz at bay with a lightweight formula that locks in your style with a natural looking finish.
—Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 25 June 2025
This imperfect but functional system kept major conflicts at bay and ensured that an interconnected world, for all its tensions, did not descend into unchecked violence.
—Oona A. Hathaway, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025
The plan centers around the installation of a dehumidification system for the four main cables that support the bridge — the longest suspension bridge in North America — which MTA officials say will keep corrosion at bay for decades.
—Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 23 June 2025
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Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 28 June 2025
Cue L’Oreal Paris’ Lock It Weather Control Hairspray: It’s specifically made to keep humidity and frizz at bay with a lightweight formula that locks in your style with a natural looking finish.
—Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 25 June 2025
This imperfect but functional system kept major conflicts at bay and ensured that an interconnected world, for all its tensions, did not descend into unchecked violence.
—Oona A. Hathaway, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025
The plan centers around the installation of a dehumidification system for the four main cables that support the bridge — the longest suspension bridge in North America — which MTA officials say will keep corrosion at bay for decades.
—Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 23 June 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 6 Jul. 2025.
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