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
Minnesota closed to within 10 in the final period, but Oklahoma City kept the Timberwolves at bay late.
—
Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 23 May 2025
Designed to set makeup and shield the the face with sun protection, the 70 percent organic formula has a matte finish to keep shine at bay even on the sweatiest of summer days.
—Jenny Berg, Vogue, 23 May 2025
During the public comment section, Violet called to keep mask bans at bay, likely in response to Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass discussing in June the possibility of creating a mask ban that particularly targeting protesters, according to The Guardian.
—Charna Flam, People.com, 21 May 2025
Whitlock, Wilson and Weissert kept the Mets’ bats at bay, and Slaten avoided trouble in the seventh, entering with one out and one on, getting Francisco Lindor to ground into a double play.
—Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for at bay
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Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 23 May 2025
Designed to set makeup and shield the the face with sun protection, the 70 percent organic formula has a matte finish to keep shine at bay even on the sweatiest of summer days.
—Jenny Berg, Vogue, 23 May 2025
During the public comment section, Violet called to keep mask bans at bay, likely in response to Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass discussing in June the possibility of creating a mask ban that particularly targeting protesters, according to The Guardian.
—Charna Flam, People.com, 21 May 2025
Whitlock, Wilson and Weissert kept the Mets’ bats at bay, and Slaten avoided trouble in the seventh, entering with one out and one on, getting Francisco Lindor to ground into a double play.
—Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 21 May 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 31 May. 2025.
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