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
On his 300th top-flight appearance for Everton, goalkeeper Jordan Pickford was inspired, helping to keep them at bay.
—
Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
Blue light targets acne-causing bacteria to help keep breakouts at bay, while red and near-infrared wavelengths penetrate deeper to stimulate collagen, improve circulation, and promote skin repair.
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 1 Oct. 2025
The howling, snarling wolves are at bay.
—Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2025
Both blur and set your makeup for 16 hours, all while keeping shine and sweat at bay.
—Francesca Krempa, StyleCaster, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for at bay
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Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
Blue light targets acne-causing bacteria to help keep breakouts at bay, while red and near-infrared wavelengths penetrate deeper to stimulate collagen, improve circulation, and promote skin repair.
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 1 Oct. 2025
The howling, snarling wolves are at bay.
—Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2025
Both blur and set your makeup for 16 hours, all while keeping shine and sweat at bay.
—Francesca Krempa, StyleCaster, 30 Sep. 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 Oct. 2025.
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