at bay

Idioms  

1. Cornered, in distress, as in Angry bystanders chased the thief into an alley and held him at bay until the police arrived. This idiom originally came from hunting, where it describes an animal that has been driven back and now faces pursuing hounds. Its use for other situations dates from the late 1500s.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

at bay

Keep the post-World Cup blues at bay by watching these 15 international series.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 29, 2026

Putting off the paperwork might be her way of keeping at bay the reality that her time with her partner is dwindling.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 28, 2026

While the researchers say it won’t replace traditional dental cleaning, it could be used along with such cleanings to keep gum-disease inflammation at bay.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 26, 2026

This will keep widespread rainfall at bay meaning most areas remain largely, or completely, dry.

From BBC ● Jul. 13, 2026

"We have nothing that will make a light that will burn long enough to hold the creatures at bay."

From "Rowan of Rin" by Emily Rodda

Related Words

• captured
• cornered