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

Recent Examples on the Web

Keep cyberattacks at bay by hiding your home and IP address with Surfshark’s 3,200 torrent-friendly servers across 65 different countries. —Stackcommerce Team (sponsored), PC Magazine, 5 Apr. 2025

Try Cryotherapy Sometimes, something as simple as a cold compress can keep dark circles at bay. —Kiana Murden, Vogue, 4 Apr. 2025

How to keep spring allergy symptoms at bay and still enjoy the warmer months 1. —Erica Sloan, SELF, 2 Apr. 2025

Disinfect surfaces regularly, including countertops and handles to keep bacteria at bay. —Halee Miller Van Ryswyk, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Apr. 2025

Rhymes for at bay

• airway
• allay
• archway
• array
• ashtray
• astray
• aue
• away
• ballet
• belay
• beltway
• beret