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
To help keep cancer at bay, doctors have long recommended regular exercise, but sticking with a regular regimen can be challenging.
—
Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 3 June 2025
From there, a five-pitcher bullpen effort kept Irvine at bay, pitching 5⅔ innings of five-run ball the rest of the way to wrap up regional action in Westwood.
—Benjamin Royer, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2025
Ryan Gary/The Sunroom Shea notes that over the years, APHIS employees have worked to successfully eradicate or keep at bay pests such as the boll weevil, a beetle that feeds on cotton buds, and New World screwworm, a parasite that burrows into the open wounds of animals.
—Andrea Hsu, NPR, 30 May 2025
What Keith needed the last three years of his life was radiation, Keytruda and chemotherapy to keep his cancer at bay.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for at bay
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Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 3 June 2025
From there, a five-pitcher bullpen effort kept Irvine at bay, pitching 5⅔ innings of five-run ball the rest of the way to wrap up regional action in Westwood.
—Benjamin Royer, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2025
Ryan Gary/The Sunroom Shea notes that over the years, APHIS employees have worked to successfully eradicate or keep at bay pests such as the boll weevil, a beetle that feeds on cotton buds, and New World screwworm, a parasite that burrows into the open wounds of animals.
—Andrea Hsu, NPR, 30 May 2025
What Keith needed the last three years of his life was radiation, Keytruda and chemotherapy to keep his cancer at bay.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 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 9 Jun. 2025.
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