hold/keep somebody/something at bay
hold (someone or something) at bay
To keep someone or something at a distance or from reaching full potency, especially in order to prevent harm to oneself. These tree frogs have a powerful poison on their backs that helps hold predators at bay. You have to start meeting your minimum monthly repayments if you want to hold your creditors at bay. During my college years, the only things I had to hold hunger at bay were beans, rice, and plain pasta.
See also: bay, hold
keep (someone or something) at bay
To keep someone or something at a distance or from reaching full potency, especially in order to prevent harm to oneself. During my college years, the only things I had to keep hunger at bay were beans, rice, and plain pasta. You have to start meeting your minimum monthly repayments if you want to keep your creditors at bay. These tree frogs have a powerful poison on their backs that helps keep predators at bay.
See also: bay, keep
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
hold/keep somebody/something at ˈbay
prevent somebody/something from coming too close or attacking: Vitamin C helps to keep colds and flu at bay.See also: bay, hold, keep, somebody, something
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
- hold (someone or something) at bay
- hold at bay
- hold someone or something at bay
- keep (someone or something) at bay
- keep something/someone at bay
- leave (someone, something, or oneself) (wide) open for (something)
- leave oneself wide open for
- keep (someone or something) in sight
- keep sight of
- keep sight of somebody/something