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at bay

Meaning in simple English, pronunciation and examples

Pronunciation: US /ət ˈbeɪ/

at bay means: Prevented from coming close or causing trouble.

phrase

KEPT AWAYC1

Prevented from coming close or causing trouble.

  • The fire kept wolves at bay.
  • Regular meals help keep hunger at bay.
  • They held the attackers at bay until help arrived.

How to use it: keep/hold someone/something at bay (The fence keeps wild animals at bay.)

Similar words: at a distance

Common phrases: keep someone at bay, hold something at bay

CORNEREDC2

Trapped with no way to escape, often while facing an attacker.

  • The stag stood at bay.
  • The hounds surrounded the animal at bay.
  • At bay against the wall, the soldier raised his sword.

Similar words: cornered, trapped

Common phrases: a stag at bay, stand at bay

HERALDIC STANCEC2

Shown on a shield standing sideways, facing the viewer’s left, with all four feet on the ground.

  • The shield shows a deer at bay.
  • The artist drew the stag at bay.
  • Both animals appear at bay on the family’s arms.

Similar words: statant

Common phrases: a stag at bay, a deer at bay

Questions about at bay

What does at bay mean?

Prevented from coming close or causing trouble.

What is at bay in other languages?

Türkçe: uzakta · Español: a raya · Français: à distance · Deutsch: auf Abstand · Italiano: a distanza · 日本語: 寄せ付けずに

How do you pronounce at bay?

It is pronounced /ət ˈbeɪ/.

How do you use at bay in a sentence?

The fire kept wolves at bay. Regular meals help keep hunger at bay.

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at bay in other languages

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