Keep Something or Someone at Bay.
English
idiom
To keep something or someone dangerous or unpleasant at a safe distance.
Trusted by1.5M+English learners & teachers worldwide
To keep something or someone dangerous or unpleasant at a safe distance.
Trusted by1.5M+English learners & teachers worldwide
To prevent something or someone from coming too close or causing harm.
When you keep something at bay, you hold it back or under control without fully eliminating it.
It's used when someone manages a threat, emotion, or problem enough to stop it from getting worse.
"Hold Off"
—
To delay something or tell someone to wait
"Keep at Arm's Length"
—
To maintain distance from someone to avoid getting too close or involved
"Keep Something or Someone at Bay"
—
Preventing something from getting closer or causing harm without fully eliminating it
The competitor has been trying to poach our clients for months.
We've managed to keep them at bay — strong service and quick check-ins help.
How are you dealing with all the pressure from work right now?
Just keeping the stress at bay — exercise and sleep are holding things together.
How do you stay productive when you're tired?
I keep the fatigue at bay with short breaks — but it only works for so long.
