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
Deter Moths Keep your clothes hole-free and smelling fresh by placing cinnamon sticks in sachets to keep moths at bay.
—
Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 27 Dec. 2025
Other essential products include a Therabody face depuffing wand, Avene face cream, and handwashing soap sheets to keep those airplane germs at bay.
—Meredith Lepore, Travel + Leisure, 23 Dec. 2025
Certain treatments have been proven to help keep symptoms at bay.
—Edward Segarra, USA Today, 23 Dec. 2025
Derrick Brown continues to make plays The Panthers, for the most part, held the Bucs at bay offensively.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 21 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for at bay
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Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 27 Dec. 2025
Other essential products include a Therabody face depuffing wand, Avene face cream, and handwashing soap sheets to keep those airplane germs at bay.
—Meredith Lepore, Travel + Leisure, 23 Dec. 2025
Certain treatments have been proven to help keep symptoms at bay.
—Edward Segarra, USA Today, 23 Dec. 2025
Derrick Brown continues to make plays The Panthers, for the most part, held the Bucs at bay offensively.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 21 Dec. 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 29 Dec. 2025.
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